Pest Survey Research Articles

Pest survey card on beet necrotic yellow vein virus

Abstract This document provides the conclusions of the pest survey card that was prepared in the context of the EFSA mandate on plant pest surveillance (M‐2020‐0114) at the request of the European Commission. The full pest survey card for beet necrotic yellow vein virus is published and available online in the EFSA Pest Survey Card gallery at the following link and will be updated whenever new information becomes available: https://efsa.europa.eu/plants/planthealth/monitoring/surveillance/beet-necrotic-yellow-vein-virus

Pest survey card on Melampsora medusae f. sp. tremuloidis

Abstract This document provides the conclusions of the pest survey card that was prepared in the context of the EFSA mandate on plant pest surveillance (M‐2020‐0114) at the request of the European Commission. The full pest survey card for Melampsora medusae f. sp. tremuloidis is published and available online in the EFSA Pest Survey Card gallery at the following link and will be updated whenever new information becomes available: https://efsa.europa.eu/plants/planthealth/monitoring/surveillance/melampsora-medusae-tremuloidis.

Pest survey card on Acrobasis pirivorella

Abstract This document provides the conclusions of the pest survey card that was prepared in the context of the EFSA mandate on plant pest surveillance (M‐2020‐0114) at the request of the European Commission. The full pest survey card for Acrobasis pirivorella is published and available online in the EFSA Pest Survey Card gallery at the following link and will be updated whenever new information becomes available: https://efsa.europa.eu/plants/planthealth/monitoring/surveillance/acrobasis-pirivorella

TSAF-Net: a rotated two-stage Cnaphalocrocis medinalis damage detection method based on anchor-free arbitrary-oriented proposal network.

Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (C.medinalis) is an agricultural pest with recurrent outbreaks. The investigation into automated pest and disease detection technology holds significant value for in-field surveys. Current generic detection methods are inadequate due to arbitrary orientations and a wide range of aspect ratios in damage symptoms. To tackle these issues, we put forward a rotated two-stage detection method for in-field C.medinalis surveys. This method relies on an anchor-free rotated region proposal network (AF-R2PN), bypassing the need for hyper-parameter optimization induced by predefined anchor boxes. An in-field C.medinalis dataset is constructed during on-site pest surveys to validate the effectiveness of our method. The experimental results show that our method can accomplish 80% average precision (AP), surpassing the corresponding horizontal detector by 2.3%. The visualization results of our work showcase its exceptional localization capability over generic detection methods, facilitating inspection by plant protectors. Meanwhile, our proposed method outperforms other state-of-the-art rotated detection algorithms. The AF-R2PN module can generate superior arbitrary-oriented proposals even with a decreased number of proposals, balancing inference speed and detection performance among other rotated two-stage methods. The proposed method exhibits superiority in detecting C. medinalis damage under complex field conditions. It provides greater practical applicability during in-field surveys, enhancing their efficiency and coverage. The findings hold significance for pest and disease monitoring, providing important technical support for agricultural production. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Pest survey card on Nacobbus aberrans s.l.

Abstract This document provides the conclusions of the pest survey card that was prepared in the context of the EFSA mandate on plant pest surveillance (M‐2020‐0114) at the request of the European Commission. The full pest survey card for Nacobbus aberrans sensu lato is published and available online in the EFSA Pest Survey Card gallery at the following link and will be updated whenever new information becomes available: https://efsa.europa.eu/plants/planthealth/monitoring/surveillance/nacobbus-aberrans

Determining the minimum data size for the development of artificial neural network-based prediction models for rice pests in Korea

Sudden outbreaks of crop pests (insect pests and diseases) are increasing in Korea due to climate change and globalization. To prevent such outbreaks, it is necessary to predict and control pest occurrences in advance. Crop pests have been predicted through process-based or statistical modeling; however, the limitations of these models, which rely solely on historically acquired domain knowledge and data, have become increasingly prominent owing to climate change and rapidly changing agricultural ecosystems. To overcome these limitations, artificial neural network (ANN)-based models that use continuous pest survey data in the field have been investigated over the last decade. However, because pest survey data are collected by humans through process-mediated methods, fundamental problems exist in terms of data quality and size that may hinder the performance of the resulting ANN-based models. In this study, to determine the minimum pest data size required to ensure the optimal performance of ANN-based models, we developed feed-forward neural network models for 19 rice pests using 23 pest datasets collected from 149 districts by the Rural Development Administration of Korea over 19 years (2002–2020). Using each ANN-based model, the minimum data size required for the highest model performance achieved in this study was determined for all 19 rice pests. Furthermore, we developed a decision-tree rule to estimate the minimum data size based on the selected characteristics of each pest. The final Decision tree rule, based on the distinction between diseases and insect pests and the balance of pest data (the relative ratio of pest occurrence data to non-occurrence data), showed a relatively good performance (70.24 %) in the 3-fold cross-validation test. Overall, these results indicate that the minimum data sizes required for ANN modeling vary among rice pests, depending on the pest data characteristics, as indicated by the Decision tree rule developed in this study.

Commodity risk assessment of plants of 12 selected Prunus species from Moldova.

The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as 'High-risk plants, plant products and other objects'. This Scientific Opinion covers plant health risks posed by defoliated 1- or 2-year old bare root plants for planting (grafted or not) of 12 Prunus species (Prunus armeniaca, P. avium, P. canescens, P. cerasifera, P. cerasus, P. davidiana, P. domestica, P. dulcis, P. fontanesiana, P. persica, P. salicina, P. tomentosa) imported from Moldova, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by the applicant country. The evaluation identified three EU-quarantine pests, Erwinia amylovora (protected zone quarantine pest), Xiphinema rivesi non-EU populations and Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (protected zone quarantine pest), which were selected for further evaluation, based on defined criteria, including their presence in the applicant country. It should be noted that there is uncertainty regarding whether all relevant pests have been identified due to a limited number of scientific publications and pest surveys in Moldova. For the three selected pests, the risk mitigation measures proposed in the technical dossier from Moldova were evaluated taking into account the possible limiting factors. For these pests, an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom taking into consideration the risk mitigation measures acting on it, including uncertainties associated with the assessment. The degree of pest freedom varies among the pests evaluated, with Erwinia amylovora being the pest most frequently expected on the imported plants. The Expert Knowledge Elicitation indicated, with 95% certainty, that between 9823 and 10,000 bundles (comprising 10-20 plants per bundle) out of 10,000 bundles would be free from E. amylovora.

Pest survey card on members of the Andean Potato Weevil complex

Pest survey card on members of the Andean Potato Weevil complex

Pest survey card on Tobacco ringspot virus

Pest survey card on Tobacco ringspot virus

Surveillance of non‐EU Tephritidae in the EU: a guide for using EFSA pest survey cards

This document was prepared in the context of the EFSA mandate on plant pest surveillance (M-2020-0114), at the request of the European Commission. Its purpose is to guide the Member States in preparing data and information for designing statistically sound and risk-based surveys of non-EU tephritid fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) regulated as Union quarantine pests. This document is a guide for selecting and using the most appropriate EFSA pest survey card for the preparation of surveillance activities of non-EU Tephritidae. Pest-specific survey cards can be used for surveys targeting priority pests. Crop-specific survey cards are designed for surveying all the taxa of quarantine non-EU Tephritidae following a crop-based approach. A database summarizing information relevant for surveillance is also available.

Pest survey card on non‐EU Tephritidae affecting walnuts

Pest survey card on non‐EU Tephritidae affecting walnuts

Pest survey card on non‐EU Tephritidae affecting tropical and subtropical fruits

This document provides the conclusions of the pest survey card that was prepared in the context of the EFSA mandate on plant pest surveillance (M-2020-0114) at the request of the European Commission. The full pest survey card for non-EU Tephritidae affecting tropical and subtropical fruits is published and available online in the EFSA Plant Pest Survey Cards Gallery at the following link and will be updated whenever new information becomes available: https://efsa.europa.eu/plants/planthealth/monitoring/surveillance/tephritidae-tropical. EFSA pest survey cards on non-EU Tephritidae affecting different crops can be found and selected using a dedicated StoryMap available in the EFSA Plant Pest Survey Cards Gallery: https://efsa.europa.eu/plants/planthealth/monitoring/surveillance/tephritidae-pestsurveycards

Pest survey card on non‐EU Tephritidae affecting Cucurbitaceae and Solanaceae

This document provides the conclusions of the pest survey card that was prepared in the context of the EFSA mandate on plant pest surveillance (M-2020-0114) at the request of the European Commission. The full pest survey card for non-EU Tephritidae affecting Cucurbitaceae and Solanaceae is published and available online at the following link and will be updated whenever new information becomes available: https://efsa.europa.eu/plants/planthealth/monitoring/surveillance/tephritidae-cucurb-solan. EFSA pest survey cards on non-EU Tephritidae affecting different crops can be found and selected using a dedicated StoryMap available in the EFSA Plant Pest Survey Cards Gallery: https://efsa.europa.eu/plants/planthealth/monitoring/surveillance/tephritidae-pestsurveycards

Pest survey card on non‐EU Tephritidae affecting stems and/or leaves of cereals and vegetables

Pest survey card on non‐EU Tephritidae affecting stems and/or leaves of cereals and vegetables

Pest survey card on non‐EU Tephritidae affecting stone, pome fruits and berries

Pest survey card on non‐EU Tephritidae affecting stone, pome fruits and berries

Pest survey card on non‐EU Tephritidae affecting ornamental plants, bamboo and tea seeds

This document provides the conclusions of the pest survey card that was prepared in the context of the EFSA mandate on plant pest surveillance (M-2020-0114) at the request of the European Commission. The full pest survey card for non-EU Tephritidae affecting ornamental plants, bamboo and tea seeds is published and available online at the following link and will be updated whenever new information becomes available: https://efsa.europa.eu/plants/planthealth/monitoring/surveillance/tephritidae-ornamentals. EFSA pest survey cards on non-EU Tephritidae affecting different crops can be found and selected using a dedicated StoryMap available in the EFSA Plant Pest Survey Cards Gallery: https://efsa.europa.eu/plants/planthealth/monitoring/surveillance/tephritidae-pestsurveycards

Pest survey card on non‐EU Tephritidae affecting citrus

This document provides the conclusions of the pest survey card that was prepared in the context of the EFSA mandate on plant pest surveillance (M-2020-0114) at the request of the European Commission. The full pest survey card for non-EU Tephritidae affecting citrus is published and available online at the following link and will be updated whenever new information becomes available: https://efsa.europa.eu/plants/planthealth/monitoring/surveillance/tephritidae-citrus. EFSA pest survey cards on non-EU Tephritidae affecting different crops can be found and selected using a dedicated StoryMap available in the EFSA Plant Pest Survey Cards Gallery: https://efsa.europa.eu/plants/planthealth/monitoring/surveillance/tephritidae-pestsurveycards

First Report of Imported Fire Ants, Solenopsis invicta, S. richteri, and S. invicta X richteri (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Kentucky

Since their introduction into the United States in the early 1900's, imported fire ants, namely Solenopsis invicta Buren (Red Imported Fire Ant), S. richteri Forel (Black Imported Fire Ant), and their hybrid form Solenopsis invicta X richteri have spread throughout portions of the USA, especially in the southeastern region. Imported fire ants are a serious invasive and economically significant species in the USA and elsewhere, and their spread into new parts of the country is of great concern. Although early models predicted that the fire ants would not be able to survive very far north into the USA, these ants have nonetheless successfully continued their spread into higher latitudes. Based on Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) samples, the Mississippi Entomological Museum Invasive Insect Screening Center, at Mississippi State University, has verified the presence of imported fire ants collected in Kentucky at multiple locations from 2014 to 2022.

Pest survey card on Eotetranychus lewisi

This document provides the conclusions of the pest survey card that was prepared in the context of the EFSA mandate on plant pest surveillance (M-2020-0114) at the request of the European Commission. The full pest survey card for Eotetranychus lewisi is published and available online in the EFSA Plant Pest Survey Cards Gallery at the following link and will be updated whenever new information becomes available: https://efsa.europa.eu/plants/planthealth/monitoring/surveillance/eotetranychus-lewisi.

Pest survey card on Anisogramma anomala

This document provides the conclusions of the pest survey card that was prepared in the context of the EFSA mandate on plant pest surveillance (M-2020-0114) at the request of the European Commission. The full pest survey card for Anisogramma anomala is published and available online in the EFSA Plant Pest Survey Cards Gallery at the following link and will be updated whenever new information becomes available: https://efsa.europa.eu/plants/planthealth/monitoring/surveillance/anisogramma-anomala