Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) for Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Abstract

Any measures against the introduction and spread of new pests must be justified by a science-based pest risk analysis (WTO 2011). PRAs are an essential component of plant health policy, allowing trade to flow as freely as possible, while minimizing to a reasonable and justifiable extent the risk of introduciton of plant pests. Leptocybe invasa is currently becoming threat to eucalyptus plantation in the world. The insect forms bump-shaped galls on the leaf midribs, petioles and stems of new growth of several Eucalyptus species (Mendel et al. 2004). L. invasa can cause death in seedlings and young plants and cause significant economic losses in many countries. First objective of this research was to identify and evaluate risk of introduction, established and spread of L. invasa into and within Indonesia, the second was to identify the pest risk management. The PRA preparation based on semi-quantitative method. There were three stages of PRA process, initiation, risk assessment and risk management. The risk assessment results indicated that L. invasa categorized into a high risk potential to entry to Indonesian territory through eucalyptus plants and seedlings. On the other hand, eucalyptus seeds, plant tissue culture and woods have a moderate risk potential to entry to Indonesian territory. L. invasa was also have a high risk potential to established, spread and cause economic consequences in Indonesia. The overall risk assessment indicated that L. invasa have a high risk potential to entry, established, spread and cause economic consequences into Indonesia territory through seeds, plant tissue culture, seedlings, woods and eucalyptus plants importation. At the end of risk management process, general and technical requirements were determined due to the importation of Eucalyptus spp.