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

Mealybugs

Planococcus ficus, Planococcus minor (EP, WA), Pseudococcus comstocki (EP), Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi (EP), Pseudococcus maritimus (EP)

Planococcus ficus (Mediterranean vine mealybug), Planococcus minor (Pacific mealybug), Pseudococcus comstocki (Comstock mealybug), Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi (Jack Beardsley mealybug) and Pseudococcus maritimus (American grape mealybug) belong to the Pseudococcidae or mealybug family. The mealybug species assessed here have been grouped together because of their related biology and taxonomy, and they are considered to pose a similar risk and to require similar mitigation measures.

Planococcus minor is not present in Western Australia and is a pest of regional quarantine concern for that state.

Several mealybug species were assessed previously in a number of existing import policies, for example, in the import policy for mango from Taiwan (Biosecurity Australia 2006c), bananas from the Philippines (Biosecurity Australia 2008b), Unshu mandarin from Japan (Biosecurity Australia 2009), stone fruit from California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington (Biosecurity Australia 2010), and table grapes from Chile (Biosecurity Australia 2005b), from China (Biosecurity Australia 2011a) and from Korea (Biosecurity Australia 2011b). In these existing policies, the unrestricted risk estimate for mealybugs was assessed and does not achieve the ALOP for Australia and therefore specific risk management measures are required for the pests.

The likelihood of establishment and spread of mealybugs in Australia is comparable to previous assessments. These likelihoods relate specifically to events that occur in Australia and are principally independent of the importation pathway. The consequences of mealybugs are also independent of the importation pathway.

Mealybugs have a wide host range and host material is likely to be available all year round in Australia. The likelihood of distribution for these pests for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to that for commodities from the previously assessed export areas.

The department considered factors affecting the likelihood of importation for mealybugs for table grapes from Sonora and those previously assessed. The likelihood of importation for mealybugs for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to that in the previous assessments.

In addition, the department has also reviewed the latest literature (for example Daane et al. 2015; Krüger et al. 2015; Liu 2013; Malausa et al. 2016; Mani & Shivaraju 2016) and no new information is available that would significantly change the risk ratings for importation, distribution, establishment, spread and consequences as set out for mealybugs in the existing policies.

1. Unrestricted risk estimate

The unrestricted risk estimate for mealybugs for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to the estimates in previous assessments, and does not achieve the ALOP for Australia. Therefore, specific risk management measures are required for these pests.

8. Citrus peelminer

Marmara gulosa (EP)

Marmara gulosa was included in the final import policy for table grapes from California to Western Australia (DAFF 2013). In this existing policy, the unrestricted risk estimate for M. gulosa was assessed as achieving the ALOP for Australia and therefore specific risk management measures are not required for this pest.

The likelihood of establishment and spread of M. gulosa in Australia for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to the previous assessment. These likelihoods relate specifically to events that occur in Australia and are principally independent of the importation pathway. The consequences of M. gulosa are also independent of the importation pathway.

Marmara gulosa has a wide host range and host material is likely to be available all year round in Australia. The likelihood of distribution for this pest for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to that for table grapes from the previously assessed export areas.

The department considered factors affecting the likelihood of importation for M. gulosa for table grapes from Sonora and those previously assessed. The likelihood of importation for M. gulosa for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to that in the previous assessments, particularly to that for table grapes from California to Western Australia. Also, even if the likelihood of importation is assessed as ‘high’ (the highest possible estimate) for M. gulosa for table grapes from Sonora, the unrestricted risk estimate will still achieve the ALOP for Australia.

In addition, the department has also reviewed the latest literature (for example Ayquipa Aycho et al. 2014; Grafton-Cardwell et al. 2014) and no new information is available that would significantly change the risk ratings for importation, distribution, establishment, spread and consequences as set out for M. gulosa in the existing policies.

1. Unrestricted risk estimate

The unrestricted risk estimate for M. gulosa for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to the estimates in previous assessments, and achieves the ALOP for Australia. Therefore, specific risk management measures are not required for this pest.

9. Omnivorous leafroller

Platynota stultana (EP)

Platynota stultana was included in the final import policy for stone fruit from California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington (Biosecurity Australia 2010) and table grapes from California to Western Australia (DAFF 2013). In these existing policies, the unrestricted risk estimate for P. stultana does not achieve the ALOP for Australia and therefore specific risk management measures are required for this pest.

The likelihood of establishment and spread of P. stultana in Australia for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to previous assessments. These likelihoods relate specifically to events that occur in Australia and are principally independent of the importation pathway. The consequences of P. stultana are also independent of the importation pathway.

Platynota stultana has a wide host range and host material is likely to be available all year round in Australia. The likelihood of distribution for this pest for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to that for table grapes from the previously assessed export areas.

The department considered factors affecting the likelihood of importation for P. stultana for table grapes from Sonora and those previously assessed. The likelihood of importation for P. stultana for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to that in the previous assessments, particularly to that for table grapes from California to Western Australia (DAFF 2013).

In addition, the department has also reviewed the latest literature (for example Bentley & Coviello 2012; Groenen & Baixeras 2013) and no new information is available that would significantly change the risk ratings for importation, distribution, establishment, spread and consequences as set out for P. stultana in the existing policies.

1. Unrestricted risk estimate

The unrestricted risk estimate for P. stultana for table grapes from Sonora is comparable to the estimates in previous assessments, and does not achieve the ALOP for Australia. Therefore, specific risk management measures are required for this pest.

10.