Pest categorisation of Citrus leprosis viruses

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the Citrus leprosis viruses for theEU territory and identifiedfive distinct viruses,Citrus leprosis virus C(CiLV-C),Citrus leprosis virus C2(CiLV-C2),Hibiscus green spot virus 2(HGSV-2), the Citrus strain ofOrchidfleck virus(OFV) andCitrusleprosis virus N sensu novo(CiLV-N) as causing this severe disease, most significantly in sweet orangeand mandarin. These viruses have in common that they do not cause systemic infections in their hostsand that they all are transmitted byBrevipalpusspp. mites (likely but not confirmed for HGSV-2). Mitesrepresent the most important means of virus spread, while plants for planting of Citrus are onlyconsidered of minor significance. These well characterised viruses occur in South and Central America.Leprosis is currently regulated in directive 2000/29 EC and, together with its associated viruses, hasnever been recorded in the EU. Allfive viruses have the potential to enter into, establish in and spreadwithin the EU territory, with plants for planting of non-regulated hosts, fruits of Citrus and hitch-hikingof viruliferous mites identified as the most significant pathways. Given the severity of the leprosisdisease, the introduction and spread of the various viruses would have negative consequences on theEU citrus industry, the magnitude of which is difficult to evaluate given the uncertainties affecting theBrevipalpusspp. vectors (identity, distribution, density, transmission specificity and efficiency). Overall,leprosis and itsfive associated viruses meet all the criteria evaluated by EFSA to qualify as Unionquarantine pests, but do not fulfil those of being present in the EU or of plants for planting being themain spread mechanism to qualify as Union regulated non-quarantine pests. The main uncertaintiesaffecting this categorisation concern theBrevipalpusspp. mite vectors.