Open AccessPest categorisation of Helicoverpa zea
Author(s) -
Bragard Claude,
DehnenSchmutz Katharina,
Di Serio Francesco,
Gonthier Paolo,
Jacques MarieAgnès,
Jaques Miret Josep Anton,
Justesen Annemarie Fejer,
Magnusson Christer Sven,
Milonas Panagiotis,
NavasCortes Juan A.,
Parnell Stephen,
Potting Roel,
Reignault Philippe Lucien,
Thulke HansHermann,
Van der Werf Wopke,
Civera Antonio Vicent,
Yuen Jonathan,
Zappalà Lucia,
Czwienczek Ewelina,
Streissl Franz,
MacLeod Alan
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
efsa journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.076
H-Index - 97
ISSN - 1831-4732
DOI - 10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6177
Subject(s) - helicoverpa zea , biology , pest analysis , quarantine , phytosanitary certification , agronomy , noctuidae , european union , sowing , lepidoptera genitalia , helicoverpa , horticulture , botany , ecology , business , economic policy
Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (American cotton bollworm, corn earworm) for the EU . H. zea is a polyphagous species that feeds on over 100 plant species. The crops most frequently recorded as host plants are maize, sorghum, cotton, beans, peas, chickpeas, tomatoes, aubergines, peppers and, to a lesser extent, clover, okra, cabbages, lettuces, strawberries, tobacco, sunflowers, cucurbits and ornamentals. H. zea preferentially feeds on flowers and fruits of the host. Eggs are laid mostly on maize silks. Larvae feed on the silks and kernels. Pupation takes place in the soil. Hibernation and estivation as pupa are reported. Adults are nocturnal. H. zea is a strong flier, able to fly up to 400 km during migration. Commission Implementing Regulation ( EU ) 2019/2072 (Annex IIA ) regulates H. zea . Fruits and plants for planting, with and without soil, provide potential pathways for entry into the EU . Climatic conditions and the availability of host plants provide conditions to support establishment in the EU . The introduction of H. zea could have an economic impact in the EU through qualitative and quantitative effects on agricultural production (e.g. tomatoes, soybean, sweet corn). Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry. H. zea satisfies the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest. H. zea does not meet the criteria of (a) occurring in the EU , and (b) plants for planting being the principal means of spread for it to satisfy the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union regulated non‐quarantine pest.