Trioza eritreae

Also known as African citrus psyllid, the Trioza erytreaeis a stinging-sucking insect that causes considerable direct damage to citrus fruits and other ornamental hosts and is a vector of the disease Huanglongbing (or citrus greening), considered to be the most serious worldwide for these plant species. This disease is caused by the bacterium Candidatus liberibacter africanus, not yet present in Europe.

In Africa and the Middle East T. erytreae transmits this pathogen directly and under natural conditions, however, it has already been demonstrated in the laboratory that it also has the capacity to transmit its Asian form (Candidatus liberibacter asiaticum).

With an established presence in Africa and some regions of the Middle East, this insect listed as a quarantine pest can also settle and spread in Mediterranean countries.

Although the bacterium that causes citrus greening has not been identified in Europe, the insect is present in Galicia, the north and central coasts of Portugal, the Canary Islands and the island of Madeira. If the vector is present in Portugal, the likelihood of its entry and dispersal is high. citrus greening is high.

The presence of an officially confirmed quarantine pest in a part of the territory in which it was previously absent makes it necessary to establish demarcated areas. The updated list of parishes that make up the demarcated (infested) zone and the buffer zone (surrounding area within a radius of three kilometers with no signs of the presence of the T. eritreae) can be consulted on the DGAV.