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

1.18Mealybugs

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 predicted 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 as exceeding Australia’s ALOP and therefore specific risk management measures are required for the pests.

The likelihood of establishment and spread of mealybugs in Australia will be comparable regardless of the fresh fruit commodity in which the mealybugs are 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 mealybugs are also independent of the importation pathway. Accordingly, there is no need to reassess these components.

Mealybugs have a wide host range and the likelihood of distribution for mealybugs for table grapes from Sonora would be comparable to that for commodities assessed previously. Accordingly there is no need to re-assess this component.

The department considered factors affecting the likelihood of importation for mealybugs for table grapes from Sonora and those previously assessed. The department considers that the likelihood of importation for mealybugs for table grapes from Sonora would be comparable to that in the previous assessments. Due to this reason, it is considered that there is no need to reassess this component for these mealybug 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 mealybugs in the existing policies.

Similar to previous assessments, the unrestricted risk estimate for mealybugs for table grapes from Sonora exceeds Australia’s ALOP. Therefore, specific risk management measures are required for these pests.

1.19Citrus 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 Australia’s ALOP and therefore specific risk management measures are not required for this pest.

The likelihood of establishment and spread of M. gulosa 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 M. gulosa are also independent of the importation pathway. Accordingly, there is no need to reassess these components.

Marmara gulosa 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 area. Accordingly, there is no need to reassess this component.

The department considered factors affecting the likelihood of importation for M. gulosa for table grapes from Sonora and those previously assessed. The department considers that the likelihood of importation for M. gulosa for table grapes from Sonora would be comparable to that in the previous assessment for table grapes from California. Also, if the likelihood of importation is assessed as ‘high’ (the possible highest estimate) for M. gulosa for table grapes from Sonora, the unrestricted risk estimate will still achieves Australia’s ALOP. 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 M. gulosa in the existing policies.

Similar to previous assessments, the unrestricted risk estimate for M. gulosa for table grapes from Sonora achieves Australia’s ALOP. Therefore, specific risk management measures are not required for this pest.

1.20Omnivorous 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 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 P. stultana 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 P. stultana are also independent of the importation pathway. Accordingly, there is no need to reassess these components.

Platynota stultana 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 P. stultana for table grapes from Sonora and those previously assessed. The department considers that the likelihood of importation for P. stultana 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 P. stultana in the existing policies.

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