01 Final Report - Defra Science Search

Improving Bio-security in the
United Kingdom Overseas Territories:
Identification service for invasive invertebrate
plant pests
2014-15
Chris Malumphy
The Food and Environment Research Agency
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Sand Hutton
York
YO41 1LZ
1
EXAMPLES OF NEW POTENTIAL THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY IN
THE UKOTS IDENTIFIED DURING 2014-15
Fig. 1. Star scale (Ceroplastes stellifer) found on
the native orchid Hairy Lip Epidendrum
(Epidendrum ciliare) in the British Virgin
Islands; polyphagous pest, feeding on plants
belonging to 23 families
Fig. 2. Florida wax scale (Ceroplastes floridensis)
found on the critically endangered Kiaerskov's
lidflower (Calyptranthes kiaerskovii) in the British
Virgin Islands; polyphagous pest, feeding on
plants belonging to 70 families
Fig. 3. Long brown scale (Coccus longulus) on
Anthurium cordatum, new for the British Virgin
Islands; polyphagous pest, feeding on plants
belonging to 57 families
Fig. 4. Migratory plant parasitic nematodes
(Tylenchidae), including undescribed species,
were found in soil samples collected from Saint
Helena
Fig. 5. Croton scale (Phalacrococcus howertoni)
is spreading rapidly through the Caribbean and
is a serious pest of croton and some native
plants in the Cayman Islands; polyphagous,
feeding on plants belonging to 36 families
Fig. 6. Lobate lac scale (Paratachardina
pseudolobata) is a broadly polyphagous pest,
feeding on plants belonging to 69 families, that
was recently recorded from the Cayman Islands
where it is having a serious impact
2
Fig. 7. South African pit scale (Planchonia
stentae) found on the native Cana Gorda
Girdlepod (Mitracarpus polycladus) in the
British Virgin Islands; polyphagous, feeding on
plants belonging to 15 families
Fig. 8. An armoured scale insect (Pseudaulacaspis
sp.) on the native Erythrina eggersii in the British
Virgin Islands. This is possibly an undescribed
species and a new regional record.
Fig. 9. Hemispherical scale (Saissetia coffeae)
found on the native plant Eugenia sessiliflora
in the British Virgin Islands; polyphagous,
feeding on plants belonging to 115 families
Fig. 10. Ornate giant whitefly (Aleurodicus
ornatus) recorded from BVI for the first time on
native black mampoo (Guapira fragrans)
Fig. 11. Citrus orthezid (Praelongorthezia
praelonga) is spreading rapidly in the
Caribbean, infesting native and exotic plants in
the British Virgin Islands; polyphagous, feeding
on plants belonging to 49 families
Fig. 12. Duges wax scale (Ceroplastes dugesii) is
recorded for the first time from the Cayman
Islands; polyphagous, feeding on plants
belonging to 14 families
3
Contents
1.0
Executive summary ………………………………………………………………………… 6
2.0
Background ……………………………………………………………………………………. 8
3.0
Introductions and Aims …………………………………………………………………… 8
4.0
Methods …………………………………………………………………………………….…… 9
4.1
Service launch ……………………………..…..….............……….…..…........... 9
4.2
Publicity ……………………………………………………..…..…......…..…............ 9
4.3
Time spent on key tasks ……………………………..…..……………..…..…....
5.0
9
Results ………………………………………………………………………………………..…… 10
5.1
The number of samples received and identifications made ……….… 10
5.2
Summary of findings ………………………………….………………………………… 10
5.3
New geographical records and threats to biodiversity ....…………….. 11
5.3.1
British Virgin Islands ……………………………………………………………….. 11
5.3.2
Cayman Islands ………………………………………………………………………. 13
5.3.3
Saint Helena ...…………....……………………………….…….…………………… 14
5.3.4
Turks and Caicos Islands ...……………………………….…….………………… 14
5.4
Bio-security advice provided ............…………………………………………… 14
5.5
Scientific publications …………………………………………………………………… 15
5.6
Building diagnostic capacity in the UKOTs ………………………………….
5.7
Identification Service Satisfaction Questionnaire ……………………….… 16
5.8
Further services requested by UKOTs ………………………………………….. 16
15
6.0
Conclusions …………………………………………………………………………………..… 17
7.0
Recommendations……………………………………………………………………………. 18
7.1
Continuation of the identification service …………………………………… 18
8.0
Acknowledgements …………………………………………………………………………. 18
9.0
References ……………………………………………………………………………….……… 19
10.0
Appendices ……………………………………………………………………….…….……… 20
10.1
Summary of invertebrate identifications 2014-2015
10.2
Project Flyer
10.3
Identification Service Satisfaction Questionnaire
4
10.4
Publication - Malumphy, C., White, L.F., Hall, J., Hodgetts, J. & Hamilton,
M. 2015. Five invasive mealybug species new for Ascension Island
(Hemipytera: Pseudococcidae), with a revised checklist of scale insects
for the island. Entomologist’s Monthly magazine 150 (1) (in press, out in April).
10.5
Detection and identification of scale insect families (Hemiptera:
Coccoidea)
10.6
Duges wax scale Ceroplastes dugesii
10.7
Pink wax scale Ceroplastes rubens
10.8
Guava scale Lepidosaphes rubrovittata
10.9
Cardin’s whitefly Metaleurodicus cardini
10.10
Lobate lac scale Paratachardina pseudolobata
10.11
Date palm scale Parlatoria blanchardi
10.12
Citrus orthezid Praelongorthezia praelonga
10.13
Avocado lacebug Pseudacysta perseae
10.14
Ficus whitefly Singhiella simplex
10.15
Striped pine scale Toumeyella pini
5
1.0 Executive summary
Biodiversity in the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) is recognised as being under threat from
non-native invasive plant pests. The Plant Protection Programme (PPP) at the Food and
Environment Research Agency (Fera) provides diagnostic and training services for the
England and Wales Plant Health Service, and has a wealth of experience and expertise in the
identification of all plant-feeding insects, mites and nematodes. The Invertebrate
Identification Team within the PPP has led a Defra-funded project to provide an
identification service for invasive invertebrate plant pests for the UKOTs since November
2009. During 2014/15, five territories (British Virgin Islands (BVI), Cayman Islands, Saint
Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Tristan da Cunha) used the service with approximately
121 samples (including some photographs) submitted to Fera for diagnosis. Tristan da Cunha
used the service for the first time.
Outcomes relating to the conservation and preservation of biodiversity in the UKOTs
resulting from the diagnostic service are discussed. The service helped identify potential
threats and prioritise conservation efforts in some of the UKOTs, for example, in the BVI two
critically endangered plant species are threatened by insect pests: Kiaerskov's lidflower
(Calyptranthes kiaerskovii) by Florida wax scale (Ceroplastes floridensis) (Fig. 2); and Puerto
Rico Manjack (Cordia rupicola) by the larvae of a pyralid moth. Several other native plants in
BVI were also found to be infested with exotic scale insects including: Cana Gorda Girdlepod
(Mitracarpus polycladus) by the South African pit scale (Planchonia stentae) (Fig. 7);
Anthurium cordatum by long brown scale (Coccus longulus) (Fig. 3); Erythrina eggersii by
Pseudaulacaspis spp. (Fig. 8) (new regional record); and Eugenia sessiliflora by hemispherical
scale (Saissetia coffeae) (Fig. 9). The immediate challenge will be to map the extent and
impact of these recently discovered pests and ensure that endangered plant species are well
represented in ex-situ collection/nurseries in preparation for a worst-case scenario. The
croton scale (Phalacrococcus howertoni) (Fig. 5), lobate lac scale (Paratachardina
pseudolobata) (Fig. 6) and citrus orthezid (Praelongorthezia praelonga) (Fig. 11), are all
highly invasive polyphagous pests that continue to spread in the UKOTs in the Caribbean.
The presence of natural enemies in the samples have been recorded which over the longer
term may be used to help suppress the numbers of invasive scales.
The service has provided data for the compilation of checklists of species for each Territory.
Such checklists provide essential baseline data by which future faunistic changes, due to
factors such as international trade, tourism and climate change, can be monitored and
6
accurately assessed. The early detection of exotic introductions improves the chances of
eradication and can thus protect the environment, biodiversity and local economy, and may
help prevent another environmental disaster such as the recent decimation of the pineyards
in the Turks and Caicos Islands by an exotic scale insect from occurring.
Building diagnostic capacity in the UKOTs has been addressed through the production of a
guide to the detection and identification of scale insect families. In addition seven new pest
datasheets were produced, containing diagnostic information and references, and three
datasheets revised.
Key achievements of the 2014/2015 project include:
•
121 samples were identified by Fera from five territories (British Virgin Islands;
Cayman Islands; Saint Helena; Tristan da Cunha; Turks and Caicos Islands).
•
At least 84 species of invertebrate were identified.
•
Undescribed species of Tylenchidae (Fig. 4) nematode were found in soil samples
from Saint Helena.
•
A photograph of a live fly maggot intercepted with pumpkins imported from South
Africa found at the dock side in Saint Helena during a quarantine inspection was
rapidly confirmed as a fruit fly (Tephritidae). Many tephritid species are major
invasive plant pests. This enabled appropriate action to be taken immediately.
•
One scientific paper is in press and several others are in preparation.
•
Several new threats to biodiversity in the UKOTs were identified including to two
critically endangered plant species. New invasive pests in BVI include a pyralid moth,
Ceroplastes floridensis (Fig. 2), Ceroplastes stellifer (Fig. 1), Coccus longulus (Fig. 3)
and Planchonia stentae (Fig. 7).
•
Eight insect species are reported as new for the British Virgin Islands (Aleurodicus
ornatus (Fig. 10), C. floridensis, C. stellifer, C. longulus, Frankliniella cephalica,
Leptococcus capixaba, P. stentae, and a primitive weevil (Curculionidae: Brentinae)
(Fig. 18)) and one for the Cayman Islands (Ceroplastes dugesii) (Fig. 12).
•
In order to assist the development of diagnostic capacity within the UKOTs a guide
to the detection and identification of scale insect families was produced and sent to
relevant parties for comment so that it can be revised in order to provide the
maximum benefit for the UKOTs.
•
Seven new Fera pest datasheets have been produced to assist with diagnostic
capacity building in the UKOTs. In addition, 3 datasheets were comprehensively
revised making a total of 19 available.
7
2.0 Background
The Plant Protection Programme (PPP) at The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera)
provides diagnostic and training services for the Plant Health Service in England and Wales
and has a wealth of experience and expertise in the identification of plant-feeding insects,
mites and nematodes. Since November 2009, the Invertebrate Identification Team within
the PPP has lead a Defra-funded project providing an identification service for invasive plant
pests which threaten biodiversity and agriculture in the UKOTs. The service was initially
offered to seven UKOTs (Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands,
Montserrat, Saint Helena, and the Turks and Caicos Islands) but was subsequently extended
to all UKOTs from 2010/11 as the initial uptake was so successful. The project has also
provided emergency assistance in the form of control/re-exportation advice for territories
facing immediate biosecurity threats.
3.0 Introduction and Aims
The UKOTs are recognised as having a rich biodiversity that is under threat from the
introduction of non-native species. Non-native species are a major cause of the loss of
biodiversity globally, and island ecosystems typical of UKOTs are particularly vulnerable
(Cheesman et al., 2003; Varnham, 2006). A recent example of an accidental introduction of
an invasive pest in a UKOT resulting in an environmental disaster has been the effect of pine
tortoise scale (Toumeyella parvicornis) on the pineyards in the Turks and Caicos Islands
(Malumphy et al., 2012). The scale has killed the majority of the mature pine trees changing
the ecosystem. Accurate and rapid species identification for suspect non-native species is
fundamental to the enforcement of eradication and quarantine measures to protect
biodiversity and agriculture. The PPP at Fera provides diagnostic and training services for the
England and Wales Plant Health Service and has a wealth of experience and expertise in the
identification of all plant-feeding insect orders, plant-feeding mites and plant-parasitic
nematodes. This Defra-funded project was conducted to provide an identification service for
invasive invertebrate plant pests that may threaten biodiversity and agriculture in all of the
UKOTs.
The PPP has nearly 60 scientists dedicated to providing fast and accurate identifications of
plant pests and diagnosis of plant diseases to an international standard. The Programme
provides comprehensive technical support and advice to the Plant Heath authorities of
England and Wales, supporting the work of both Fera’s Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate
8
(PHSI) and the Policy Programme. This project was managed and largely delivered by the
entomologists in the Invertebrate Identification Team.
The aims of the project were to:
1. To assist with the conservation and preservation of biodiversity in the United Kingdom
Overseas Territories by providing an identification service for invasive invertebrate plant
pests.
2. To provide rapid assistance, wherever possible, when bio-security threats are detected,
in the form of guidance on appropriate measures in line with the SPS Agreement and
following international standards, i.e., ISPMs, with input from Fera Plant Health Policy
and Consultancy.
3. To determine what kind of pest information (e.g. country and regional pest lists, plant
pest fact sheets or identification guides) Fera could provide to assist the UKOTs
implementing bio-security measures and to build diagnostic capacity.
4.0 Methods
4.1 Service launch
The main contacts within the UKOTs were notified in December 2014 that the pest
identification service was available. This late notification was due to the contract not being
signed off until December. However, the UKOTs that had used the service most frequently in
the past were notified during the summer that the service was likely to be continued and
samples submitted before December were processed and identified.
4.2 Publicity
The identification service is promoted on the JNCC website, the GB non-native species
secretariat website, the Caribbean Invasive Alien Species Network website and is
acknowledged on the Royal Botanic Garden’s website.
4.3 Time spent on key tasks
Project co-ordination
25 hours
Sample booking in and entering results onto database
15 hours
Sample preparation (slide preparation and genitalia dissection)
105 hours
Sample identification (morphological and molecular)
285 hours
Preparing datasheets, guide to scale insects and Report writing
29 hours
Total 459 hours (approximately 62 days)
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5.0
Results
5.1 The number of samples received and identifications made
A total of 121 samples and photos were received from four UKOTs: 49 samples and photos
from the British Virgin Islands; 9 samples from Turks and Caicos Islands; 16 samples and
photos from Saint Helena; 45 samples from the Cayman Islands (there were actually 76
samples received at the end of March 2014, most of these were processed and identified
during the current reporting period); and 2 samples (telephone and email enquires) by
Tristan da Cunha. In addition they were a dozen or more photos of pest damage received
from BVI which were not formally booked in or recorded in Appendix 1., as they could not be
identified with any degree of certainty.
5.2 Summary of findings
More than 84 species of invertebrate were identified at Fera during 2014-15. The
invertebrates belonged to the following classes and orders:
GASTROPODA (1 sp.).
NEMATODA: Tylenchida (1 sp.)
ACARINA: Prostigmata (2 spp.); Oribatida (1 sp.); Mesostigmata (1 sp.); Sarcoptiformes
(1 sp.); Trombidiformes (2 spp.).
INSECTA: Coleoptera (5 spp.); Dictyoptera (1 sp.); Diptera (5 spp.); Hemiptera (45 spp.);
Hymenoptera (3 spp.); Lepidoptea (4 spp.); Orthoptera (1 sp.); Psocoptera (1 sp.);
Thysanoptera (10 spp.).
In terms of the number of species identified, the dominant group was the Hemiptera, in
particular the scale insects (Coccoidea). This is not surprising as they are one of the most
commonly transported groups of insects in plant trade and one of the most successful
invasive insect groups (Miller & Miller, 2003; Pellizzari & Dalla Montá, 1997; Smith et al.,
2007; Thomas, 2006).
In total more than one and a half thousand individual organisms were examined, collected
from approximately 65 host plant species.
A full list of the taxa identified can be found in Appendix 1. Several taxa are still being
studied and have not been listed at species level. For certain invertebrate groups, World
specialists were consulted when reliable keys or descriptions were not available. Further
details regarding the individual samples, such as collector’s name, location, date collected,
10
has been recorded through Fera’s Plant Health Information Warehouse Diagnosis Database
and may be obtained by contacting the authors.
5.3 New geographical records, new species to science, and threats to
biological diversity
Published faunistic catalogues, regional checklists and taxonomic literature were examined
to determine the validity of these new geographical records. For some groups, for example
the scale insects and whiteflies (Hemiptera: Coccoidea and Aleyrodidae), there are accurate,
up-to-date catalogues available online to check the distribution of species.
5.3.1. British Virgin Islands
Several new threats to biodiversity in BVI were identified during 2014-15 including the
following:
•
One of the most significant threats identified was of Florida wax scale (Ceroplastes
floridensis) (Fig. 2) on the critically endangered plant Kiaerskov's lid-flower
(Calyptranthes kiaerskovii). The largest population of C. kiaerskovii is known only to
occur within the dry forest of Gorda Peak National Park, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin
Islands. This species was known from three sites in Puerto Rico, each containing a
single individual, only one of which may still be extant. Thus the total known world
population of this species is 27–28 mature individual plants (ICUN Red List 2014,
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/34418/0).
•
Pyralid moth caterpillars were found feeding on the critically endangered plant
Puerto Rico Manjack (Cordia rupicola). The is in addition to exotic pests already
found damaging the plant, for example, lesser snow scale (Pinnaspis strachani) was
identified by the project in 2013 causing serious dieback.
•
South African pit scale (Planchonia stentae) (Fig. 7) was found on the rare plant Cana
Gorda Girdlepod (Mitracarpus polycladus). The scale is a serious pest of a range of
ornamental plants in Florida.
•
Long brown scale (Coccus longulus) (Fig. 3) was found on the native plant Anthurium
cordatum.
•
Hemispherical scale (Saissetia coffeae) (Fig. 9) was found on Eugenia sessiliflora.
•
An armoured scale insect Pseudaulacaspis sp. (Fig. 8) was found on the native plant
Erythrina eggersii. This is certainly the first time that this species has been found in
the Caribbean region (and probably the Americas) and it appears to represent an
11
undescribed species. The ,majprity of species assigned to the genus Pseudaulacaspis
are native to Asia.
•
Stellate scale Ceroplastes stellifer (Fig. 1) was found on the native orchid Hairy Lip
Epidendrum (Epidendrum ciliare).
•
Ornate giant whitefly (Aleurodicus ornatus) (Fig. 10) was found on the native black
mampoo (Guapira fragrans).
In addition to the above, a sample consisting of a bougainvillea stem (Fig. 13) was received
from Isha Hodge which was completely smothered with scale insects. Five species of exotic
pest were present: white peach scale (Pseudaulacaspis pentagona) (Fig. 15); barnacle scale
(Ceroplastes cirripediformis) (Fig. 14); hemispherical scale (Saissetia coffeae) (Fig. 9); citrus
orthezia (Praelongorthezia praelonga) (Figs 11 and 16); and green coffee scale (Coccus
viridis) (Fig. 17).
Fig. 13. Bougainvillea stem from the British Virgin Islands encrusted with five species of scale insect
Fig. 14. Barnacle scale (Ceroplastes
ciripediformis)
Fig. 15. White peach scale (Pseudaulacaspis
pentagona)
12
Fig. 16. Citrus orthezid (Praelongorthezia
praelonga)
Fig. 17. Green coffee scale (Coccus viridis)
Fig. 18. Primitive weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Brentinae) found on dead wood in the British
Virgin Islands
Eight invertebrate species are reported as new for BVI: Aleurodicus ornatus (Fig. 10);
Ceroplastes floridensis (Fig. 2); C. stellifer (Fig. 1); Coccus longulus (Fig. 3); Frankliniella
cephalica; Leptococcus capixaba; Planchonia stentae (Fig. 7); and a primitive weevil
(Curculionidae: Brentinae) (Fig. 18).
5.3.2. Cayman Islands
At the end of March 2014, 76 samples were received from the Cayman Islands, most of
which were processed and identified during 2014/15. Several invasive invertebrate species
were recorded for the first time, some of which were discussed in last year’s report
(2013/14). This is potentially significant as almost half of the native flora in the Cayman
Islands is classed as endangered and many of the invertebrate species that are new to the
Islands have the potential to negatively impact biodiversity. There are 415 plant species and
13
varieties native to the Cayman Islands, of which 46% have been assessed as endangered, this
includes 20% as ‘Critically Endangered’, 15% ‘Endangered’ and 11% ‘Vulnerable’ (OTEP: CAY001, Red-List Assessment of Cayman Islands' native flora for legislation and conservation
planning).
•
Two of the most notable invertebrate introductions are: lobate lac scale
Paratachardina pseudolobata (Fig. 6), a broadly polyphagous species that attacks
more than 300 species of mostly woody plants assigned to 69 families, which
has rapidly spread through natural habitats in other Caribbean territories
(Stocks, 2013); and croton scale Phalacrococcus howertoni (Fig. 5) which is also
broadly polyphagous attacking plants assigned to 35 families, and frequently causing
dieback and host mortality (Stocks, 2013). Both of these species were reported to
have a serious detrimental impact during 2014/15.
5.3.3. Saint Helena
A series of ten soil samples were received for testing for Potato Cyst Nematode, a major pest
of potato. All of the samples tested negative for this pest. However, what was far more
interesting was the presence of migratory plant parasitic nematodes (Tylenchidae) (Fig. 4) in
all of the samples. Confirmation of the species is ongoing and all the species present will be
new geographical records and some are undescribed species. Thomas Prior and Bex Lawson
of Fera are currently studying the nematodes and will collaborate with the staff from Saint
Helena with the aim to describe the new species and publish the new geographical records.
5.3.4. Turks and Caicos Islands
Multiple samples of pine tortoise scale (Toumeyella parvicornis) were again collected from
Caribbean pine. As stated in the introduction, this species has had a devastating effect on
the pineyards in TCI (Malumphy et al., 2012).
5.4 Bio-security advice provided
A summary of the distribution, host range, biology and economic importance is provided to
the UKOTs when new pests are recorded. This information will assist the UKOTs to make a
rapid assessment of the potential risk posed by the organism. If available, photographs of
the pest and symptoms are also provided to aid detection and identification.
On a number of occasions rapid preliminary identifications of photos of invasive
invertebrates were provided to contacts in the British Virgin Islands and Saint Helena.
14
A photograph of a live fly maggot intercepted with pumpkins imported from South Africa
found at the dock side in Saint Helena during a quarantine inspection was rapidly confirmed
as a fruit fly (Tephritidae). This enabled appropriate action to be taken immediately. This is
because many tephritid species are major invasive plant pests and of quarantine
importance.
5.5 Scientific publications
One paper is currently in press and due to be released in April 2015. It records five new
invasive mealybugs for Ascension Island and provides a revised checklist of scale insects for
the Island (see Appendix 5.2).
Malumphy, C., White, L.F., Hall, J., Hodgetts, J. & Hamilton, M. 2015. Five invasive
mealybug species new for Ascension Island (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), with a
revised checklist of scale insects for the island. Entomologist’s Monthly magazine
150 (1) (in press)
In addition there are several draft manuscripts in preparation.
5.6 Building diagnostic capacity in the UKOTs
A range of approaches for developing diagnostic capacity and up-skilling in the UKOTs were
considered but these were restrained by the limited diagnostic resources of many of the
territories (e.g., laboratories, microscopes, trained staff, information centres and reference
collections) and the limited budget available to Fera.
A guide for the detection and identification of scale insect families was produced with the
following contents: Introduction; Biology; Dispersal; Economic importance; Detection of
scale insects; Recognition of scale insect families in the field; Identification of scale insect
families; Preservation of specimens; Morphological key to the scale insect families;
Information sources; and references. This guide (see Appendix 5) has initially been sent to
Tristan da Cunha and Saint Helena for testing and will be revised once feedback is received.
A second approach to assist with diagnostic capacity building was the production of pest
datasheets (based on samples submitted and new threats in specific regions) that contained
information on pest identification and selected references). Seven new datasheets were
produced during the reporting period and three datasheets were comprehensively revised
and updated (see Appendices 6-15). It is planned that this will be expanded in the future to
15
include many of the invasive pests that pose an immediate threat to biodiversity in the
UKOTs.
5.7 Identification service satisfaction questionnaire
The UKOTs that submitted samples to Fera during the year were approached with a
satisfaction questionnaire (see Appendix 3). The purpose of the questionnaire was to assess
whether the service has met their requirements and identify potential improvements,
should it prove possible to provide the service in future years. Unfortunately the
questionnaires were only sent out at the beginning of April and none were returned in time
to include the results for this report. This late submission was due to the fact that the author
was working aboard in China and the USA for most of March and the project co-ordinator
(who dealt with the questionnaire in previous years) was on maternity leave. However, a
typical email (dated 27th November 2014) received by Fera from one of the beneficiaries of
the service is printed below:
Many thanks Chris – this is really valuable information which will greatly
improve our conservation planning and actions for BVI. Thanks for your
continued engagement with the UKOTs programme.
All the best, Colin
Dr Colin Clubbe
Head, UKOTs & Conservation Training
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Richmond, Surrey
TW9 3AB, UK
twitter: @CClubbe
5.8 Further services requested by UKOTs
Some UKOTs expressed an interest in the following services if Fera were able to provide
them in the future.
1. Additional plant pest factsheets or pest alerts
2. Training in plant health inspection and plant pest identification
3. Assistance with producing rapid risk assessments in order to help decide on
appropriate action when a pest has been found
4. Producing regional or commodity based pest lists
16
6.0 Conclusions
There is a clear demand for an identification service for invasive invertebrate plant pests to
improve bio-security and support the preservation and conservation of biodiversity in the
UKOTs (121 samples were processed during 2014/15) and the service has produced a wealth
of new and useful data. It has, however, always been required that if this service was to
continue to be funded it should not only provide inventories of pests present in each
territory, but demonstrate that the service has practical benefits. These benefits
demonstrated during the 2014/15 reporting period include:
1. The service helped identify immediate threats and prioritise conservation efforts in
some UKOTs, for example, the critically endangered plants Kiaerskov's lid-flower
(Calyptranthes kiaerskovii) and Puerto Rico Manjack (Cordia rupicola) in the British
Virgin Islands are threatened by Florida wax scale (Ceroplastes floridensis) and by
the a pyralid moth, respectively. This is in addition to exotic pests already found
damaging critically endangered plants in BVI during previous years. In both cases the
immediate challenge will be to map the extent and impact of the recently
discovered pests and ensure that endangered plant species are well represented in
ex-situ collection/nurseries in preparation for a worst-case scenario.
2. Several other pests were found on native plants in BVI including: South African pit
scale (Planchonia stentae) on Cana Gorda Girdlepod (Mitracarpus polycladus); Long
brown scale (Coccus longulus) on Anthurium cordatum; Hemispherical scale
(Saissetia coffeae) on Eugenia sessiliflora; An armoured scale insect Pseudaulacaspis
sp. on Erythrina eggersii; Stellate scale (Ceroplastes stellifer) on Hairy Lip
Epidendrum (Epidendrum ciliare); and Ornate giant whitefly (Aleurodicus ornatus) on
the native black mampoo (Guapira fragrans).
3. The service has also identified several new, invasive, broadly polyphagous pests that
have the potential to negatively impact biodiversity in the future. Most notably,
croton scale (Phalacrococcus howertoni) (Fig. 5) and lobate lac scale (Paratachardina
pseudolobata) (Fig. 6), which threaten all the UKOTs in the Caribbean.
4. In each case where a new pest is recorded, a summary of the distribution, host
range, biology and economic importance is provided to assist with the UKOT making
a rapid risk assessment and deciding upon appropriate action.
5. The presence of natural enemies in the samples have been recorded which over the
longer term may be investigated and used to help suppress the numbers of invasive
pests.
17
6. A Fera guide to the detection and identification of scale insect families has been sent
to selected territories for comment and will be revised once feedback is received.
7. Fera Pest datasheets have been sent to selected territories which include diagnostic
information to assist with diagnostic capacity building.
Since the identification service was launched in February 2010, nine UKOTs have made use
of the service and submitted more than 750 samples. At least 80 of the invertebrate species
examined to date have never before been reported from the UKOTs. A total of seventeen
species apparently new to science have been observed and are being studied further. One
new species from the Cayman Islands has been described: Scirotothrips cocolobae Collins &
Evans (Collins & Evans, 2013).
In conclusion there is a continued demand for the identification service and the project
continues to meet its aims in full.
7.0. Recommendations
7.1. Continuation of the identification service
1. It is recommended that the identification service of invasive invertebrate plant pests
for the UKOTs be continued, as long as results continue to feed into improved biosecurity and the conservation and preservation of biodiversity
2. It is recommended that Fera is enabled to continue to provide rapid assistance,
wherever possible, when bio-security threats are detected, in the form of guidance
on appropriate measures in line with the SPS Agreement and following international
standards i.e. ISPMs, with input from Fera Plant Health Policy and Consultancy.
8.0 Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank the Biodiversity Programme, Defra and Plant Health Policy for
their joint funding of the project, and everyone within the UKOTs who submitted samples.
Thanks are also due to those people who gave advice and support in compiling a list of
contacts in the Overseas UKOTs, in particular Martin Hamilton (RBG Kew), Tara Pelembe and
Elizabeth Moore (JNCC).
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9.0 References
Cheesman, O.D., Clubbe, C., Glasspool, A.F. & Varnham, K. 2003. Dealing with invasive
species: sharing knowledge and experience. In: M. Pienkowski ed. A Sense of Direction:
a conference on conservation in the UK Overseas Territories and other small island
communities. Over Norton: UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum, 257-272.
Available from: http://www.ukotcf.org.
Collins, D W. & Evans, G. B. 2013. Scirtothrips coccolobae sp. nov. (Thysanoptera: Thripidae),
a Leaf-Feeding Thrips on Sea Grape Known from Florida and the Cayman Islands.Florida
Entomologist 96 (4): 1359-1364.
Malumphy, C., Hamilton, M.A., Manco, B.N., Green, P.W.C., Sanchez, M.D., Corcoran, M. &
Salamanca, E. 2012. Toumeyella parvicornis (Hemiptera: Coccidae), causing severe
decline of Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Florida
Entomologist 95, 113-119.
Miller, G.L. & Miller, D.R. 2003. Invasive soft scales (Hemiptera: Coccidae) and their threat to
US Agriculture. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 105, 832-846.
Pellizzari, G. & Dalla Montá, L. 1997. 1945-1995: Fifty years of incidental insect pest
introductions to Italy. Acta Phytopathologica et Entomologica Hungarica, 32, 171-183.
ScaleNet, 2014. ScaleNet: A Database of Scale insects of the World. Available from:
http://www.sel.barc.usda.gov/scalenet/scalenet.htm. Accessed March 2015.
Smith, R.M., Baker, R.H.A., Malumphy, C.P., Hockland, S., Hammon, R.P., Ostojá-Starzewski,
J.C. & Collins, D.W. 2007. Recent non-native invertebrate plant pests establishments in
Great Britain: origins, pathways, and trends. Agricultural and Forest Entomology, 9,
307–326.
Stocks, I. 2013. Recent adventive scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) and whiteflies
(Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Florida and the Caribbean region. In: Peña, J.E. (Ed.),
Potential invasive pests of agricultural crops. CABI International, Wallingford, UK, pp.
342–362.
Thomas, M.C. 2006. The exotic invasion of Florida. A report on arthropod immigration into
the sunshine state. Available from: http://www.freshfromflorida.com/DivisionsOffices/Plant-Industry/Science/The-Exotic-Invasion-of-Florida
Varnham, K. 2006. Non-native species in UK Overseas Territories: a review. JNCC Report 372.
Peterborough: United Kingdom.
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10.0 Appendices
10.1
Summary of invertebrate identifications 2014-2015
10.2
Project Flyer
10.3
Identification Service Satisfaction Questionnaire
10.4
Publication - Malumphy, C., White, L.F., Hall, J., Hodgetts, J. & Hamilton,
M. 2015. Five invasive mealybug species new for Ascension Island
(Hemipytera: Pseudococcidae), with a revised checklist of scale insects
for the island. Entomologist’s Monthly magazine 150 (1) (in press, out in April).
10.5
Detection and identification of scale insect families (Hemiptera:
Coccoidea)
10.6
Duges wax scale Ceroplastes dugesii
10.7
Pink wax scale Ceroplastes rubens
10.8
Guava scale Lepidosaphes rubrovittata
10.9
Cardin’s whitefly Metaleurodicus cardini
10.10
Lobate lac scale Paratachardina pseudolobata
10.11
Date palm scale Parlatoria blanchardi
10.12
Citrus orthezid Praelongorthezia praelonga
10.13
Avocado lacebug Pseudacysta perseae
10.14
Ficus whitefly Singhiella simplex
10.15
Striped pine scale Toumeyella pini
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