Draft report for the non-regulated analysis of existing policy for table grapes from Sonora, Mexico

1.12Harlequin ladybird

Harmonia axyridis (EP)

Harmonia axyridis was included in the final import policy for table grapes from the People’s Republic of China (Biosecurity Australia 2011a), from California to Western Australia (DAFF 2013) and from Japan (Department of Agriculture 2014). In these existing policies, the unrestricted risk estimate for H. axyridis was assessed as exceeding Australia’s ALOP and therefore specific risk management measures are required for this pest.

The likelihood of establishment and spread of H. axyridis in Australia will be comparable regardless of the fresh fruit commodity in which this species is imported into Australia, as these likelihoods relate specifically to events that occur in Australia and are principally independent of the importation pathway. The consequences of H. axyridis are also independent of the importation pathway. Accordingly, there is no need to reassess these components.

Harmonia axyridis has a wide host range and the likelihood of distribution for this pest for table grapes from Sonora would be comparable to that for table grapes from the previously assessed export areas. Accordingly, there is no need to reassess this component.

The department considered factors affecting the likelihood of importation for H. axyridis for table grapes from Sonora and those previously assessed. The department considers that the likelihood of importation for H. axyridis for table grapes from Sonora would be comparable to that in the previous assessments, particularly to that for table grapes from California to Western Australia (DAFF 2013). Due to this reason, it is considered that there is no need to reassess this component for this species for table grapes from Sonora.

In addition, the department has also reviewed the latest literature and no new information is available that would significantly change the risk ratings for importation, distribution, establishment, spread and consequences as set out for H. axyridis in the existing policies.

Similar to previous assessments, the unrestricted risk estimate for H. axyridis for table grapes from Sonora exceeds Australia’s ALOP. Therefore, specific risk management measures are required for this pest.

1.13Fruit flies

Anastrepha fraterculus and Ceratitis capitata (EP)

Anastrepha fraterculus (South American fruit fly) and Ceratitis capitata (Mediterranean fruit fly, Medfly) belong to the family Tephritidae. They have been grouped together because of their related biology and taxonomy, and are predicted to pose a similar risk and to require similar mitigation measures.

Several fruit flies species were assessed previously in a number of existing import policies, for example, in the final import policy for truss tomatoes from the Netherlands (DAFF 2003), sweet oranges from Italy (Biosecurity Australia 2005a), mangoes from India (Biosecurity Australia 2008a), longan and lychee from China and Thailand (DAFF 2004) and table grapes from Chile (Biosecurity Australia 2005b) and from China (Biosecurity Australia 2011a). In these existing policies, the unrestricted risk estimate for fruit flies was assessed as exceeding Australia’s ALOP and therefore specific risk management measures are required for the pests.

The department acknowledges that Mexico has a national program for the control, eradication and suppression of fruit flies of economic importance in Mexico. The consequences of fruit fly is assessed by the department as significant at the national level and fruit fly outbreaks do occur from time to time in Mexico, including in Sonora. Therefore, the department chose to adopt the unrestricted risk estimate of exceeding Australia’s ALOP from the previous assessments for these fruit fly species for table grapes from Sonora. Therefore, specific risk management measures are required for these species.

1.14Spotted wing drosophila

Drosophila suzukii (EP)

The quarantine risks posed by Drosophila suzukii from all countries and for all commodities, including table grapes, were previously assessed in the Final pest risk analysis (PRA) report for Drosophila suzukii (DAFF Biosecurity 2013). Therefore, there is no need to reassess this pest here. A summary of pest information and a summary of the previous risk assessment for table grapes from the final PRA report for D. suzukii is provided here.

Drosophila suzukii was reported in Mexico in 2011 (NAPPO 2011), and is now reported from the states of Aguascalientes, Baja California, Colima, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Michoacán and Estado de México (CABI 2014). Mexico had domestic movement control in place to restrict the entry of pests, including D. suzukii, into the state of Sonora.

Drosophila suzukii preferentially oviposit on ripe fruit but will also oviposit on unripe and overripe fruit (Kanzawa 1939; Lee et al. 2011; Brewer et al. 2012). Larvae feeding on very acidic fruit fail to complete development (Kanzawa 1935). In its native and introduced range, D. suzukii has been recorded to cause damage to a range of fruits including grapes, cherry, blueberry and red bayberry, mulberries, peaches, plums, strawberries and various caneberries.

On grapes, oviposition trials on wine and table grapes have shown that fully-ripe table grapes can be attacked (Maiguashca et al. 2010; Saguez et al. 2013; Atallah et al. 2014). Damaged fruit with low sugar levels will be oviposited in but larvae develop poorly and fail to pupate (Maiguashca et al. 2010). Kanzawa (1939) recorded that different grape varieties sustained different levels of attack and considered skin thickness was the factor that limited oviposition. Oviposition of D. suzukii has been reported on a number of grape varieties/cultivars which are 100 per cent V. vinifera, such as Gros Coleman, Muscat of Alexandra, Muscat of Hamburg, Foster’s seeding Rose de Italy, Kyoshin (Kanzawa 1939), Thompson Seedless (Lee et al. 2011), Black Manuka and Perlette (WSUE 2010). Reports of oviposition on grape varieties/cultivars which are 100 per cent Vitis labrusca have not been found. There have been reports of a number of grape varieties/cultivars not being attacked by D. suzukii, some of these are 100 per cent Vitis vinifera (for example Koshu, Chasselas de Fontainbleau, Golden champion and White Malaga), some are 100 per cent Vitis labrusca (for example Concord, Eaton, Niagara and Hostess seedling) (Kanzawa 1939), and some are hybrids between V. vinifera and V. labrusca for which percentage of V. vinifera as parentage range from 25 per cent (for example Early Campbell) (Maiguashca et al. 2010) to 75 per cent (for example Brighton) (Kanzawa 1939).

When D. suzukii is given a choice between several host fruits (for example raspberry, cherry, strawberry, grape), grape (‘Thompson Seedless’) were the least preferred host on undamaged fruit (Lee et al. 2011; Atallah et al. 2014).

During the 1930s in Japan, D. suzukii was trapped in vineyards at high levels and there are reports of damage as high as 80 per cent (Kanzawa 1939). More recently there have been reports of outbreaks of D. suzukii on grapes in Hokkaido (CFIA 2010).

The risk scenario of concern for D. suzukii is the presence of the larvae in mature bunches of grapes.

1.14.1Overall likelihood of entry, establishment and spread

Based on the Final pest risk analysis (PRA) report for Drosophila suzukii (DAFF Biosecurity 2013) the overall likelihood that D. suzukii will enter Australia as a result of trade in table grapes (Vitis vinifera) from Sonora, be distributed in a viable state to a susceptible host, establish in Australia and subsequently spread within Australia is: Moderate.

The final PRA for D. suzukii (DAFF Biosecurity 2013) recognises that the importation risk of D. suzukii on table grape pathway could be different for particular varieties and/or cultivars. The importation risk and hence the overall likelihood of entry, establishment and spread are likely to be lower for commercial quality grapes of varieties and/or cultivars of V. vinifera or hybrids demonstrated to be poor hosts for oviposition by D. suzukii.

1.14.2Consequences

Based on the Final pest risk analysis (PRA) report for Drosophila suzukii (DAFF Biosecurity 2013) the potential consequences of the establishment of D. suzukii in Australia are: High.

1.14.3Unrestricted risk estimate

Based on the Final pest risk analysis (PRA) report for Drosophila suzukii (DAFF Biosecurity 2013) the unrestricted risk estimate for D. suzukii has been assessed as ‘high’, which exceeds Australia’s ALOP. Therefore, specific risk management measures are required for this pest.