Intercitrus, the interprofessional agri-food organization for the orange industry and the tangerine group in Spain, expressed concern when it was detected in 2017. Pomegranate moth imported from Morocco According to this entity, it is capable of attacking up to 70 plant species belonging to 50 different families. It is worth remembering that the province of Alicante, under the leadership of Baix Vinalopó, together with parts of Elche and Vega Baja, produces more than 80% of the pomegranate crop in all of Spain. Elche even has a protected name of origin, the Mollar pomegranate.
Last November, Thaumatotibia leucotreta, a moth also known as the “false moth”, was detected in pomegranates from Morocco in the port of Almería. Spanish authorities The test for this insect, which is considered a pest in Europe, was positive and the entry of the shipment was stopped.
“Thanks to their intervention and professionalism, the pathogen could most likely be detected in a fruit from a country that had not declared such a pest, as in the Alawite kingdom, if the affected shipment had been entered and unloaded. In a warehouse in Almería It would have put at risk not only the production of tangerines, oranges and grapefruits in the immediate vicinity, but also all fruit trees that are carriers of this disease, such as avocados, vines and peaches, as well as pomegranates. , nectarine or mango; some vegetables such as peppers or eggplants; There are other continental crops such as cotton or corn, and even ornamental flowers such as roses,” notes Intercitrus.
Considering the “seriousness” of detecting “such a polyphagous pest” capable of attacking up to 70 plant species, and risk analyzes confirm: Can grow in Mediterranean climate “Like Moroccan or Spanish”, Intercitrus demands that European authorities send inspectors to verify the extent of the possible presence of this species in Morocco.
Quarantine
“This intervention should alarm the entire Spanish and European fruit and vegetable sector and if the suspicion is confirmed the EC should reconsider its policy against it.” this plague The quarantine, which is being combated as a priority, is one of the 20 quarantines with the greatest economic, environmental and social impact,” warns Inmaculada Sanfeliu, Interprofessional President of Spanish Orange and Tangerine.
Morocco today according to Intercitrus First non-EU supplier Exports of fruit and vegetables come from Spain at 339,476 tonnes (imported between January and September this year and the fifth highest tonnage exported to the entire EU in the same period (at 1.04 million tonnes), a short distance from the other four countries). Costa Rica and Ecuador, both with 1.3 million tons, Egypt with 1.1 million tons and South Africa with 1.09 million tons, respectively. Morocco’s growth as a fruit and vegetable supplier to Spain is exponential: it has more than tripled its exports to our Country over the years in the last decade.
Citrus fruits, which are considered one of the citrus fruits, main entrance roads While it is not the only example of this pest, its evolution has been more erratic, but in recent years it has competed with South Africa for the European lead as a non-EU supplier of tangerines, with Israel a short distance away.
Confirm suspicions
If the suspicions are confirmed and Thaumatotibia leucotreta is declared in Morocco, “the EU will find that the top three non-European suppliers of clementines and tangerines all suffer from this pest, which will mean that it will have to impose – as we have demanded – from principle cold treatment but also to tangerines in these three countries (Morocco, South Africa and Israel), and not just oranges from areas affected by this pest, as is the case now,” insists Sanfeliu.
“If this dangerous pest is introduced to Spain, it will be very difficult, or even almost impossible, to eradicate it.” As the same sources provide, he warns about this: emergency action plan Prepared by the Government in 2020.
Durability
“Non-systemic insecticides (those that do not penetrate the plant) are not accessible to the larvae because they remain there. spends most of its life in fruits and the pest has also developed resistance to systemic insecticides (those that can) and commonly used non-systemic insecticides,” the same sources note.
The reduced availability of active substances authorized by the EU and the consequences of a European phytosanitary regulation that may soon become even more restrictive will make the fight against this insect extremely complex.
The larva of this moth feeds internally, so most homeowners It presents external symptoms that are difficult to detect and define.
In addition, during the inspection of fruits harvested during import, recent infestations will not be detected, as it takes several days for the symptoms to appear after the larva enters the fruit and the transportation conditions are not suitable. Obtain a report from Intercitrus for the development of the pest.