Alerta fitosanitaria de Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al.

Publication Date

Thu, 29 May 2025, 22:21

Last Updated

May 29, 2025, 10:21 p.m.

Report Number

COL-04/1

Country

Colombia

Pest Id

Xylella fastidiosa - (XYLEFA)

Report Status

Preliminary

Pest Status (ISPM 8 - 2021)

Absent: pest records invalid

Geographical Distribution

The departments of Boyacá, Caldas, Caquetá, La Guajira, Magdalena, Norte de Santander, Risaralda and Valle del Cauca."

Summary

According to the official surveillance activities of Xylella fastidiosa carried out by the ICA in Colombia, on February 12, 2025, 14 positive results for this bacterium were issued in 14 plants belonging to the genera Citrus spp. (orange, lemon, sour lime, mandarin and tangelo) and Coffea arabica (coffee), harvested in the departments of Boyacá, Caldas, Caquetá, La Guajira, Magdalena, Norte de Santander, Risaralda and Valle del Cauca. These results were confirmed by sequencing tests. in view of the above, a State of Phytosanitary Emergency is declared in the National territory due to the presence of Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al. in the departments of Boyacá, Caldas, Caquetá, La Guajira, Magdalena, Norte de Santander, Risaralda and Valle del Cauca.

Danger

Currently, the greatest risk of Xylella fastidiosa entering Colombia is via plant material. The main hosts of X. fastidiosa subsp. pauca are coffee, citrus, and olive trees (Almeida et al., 2008; Coletta-Filho et al., 2016). In terms of risk reduction, strategies to prevent introduction and contain outbreaks should focus on the two main pathways (plants for planting and insect vectors) and combine the most effective integrated management options (Almeida et al., 2005). Xylella fastidiosa is reported to infect over 350 different plant species. Its main hosts, which are affected economically, are grapevine (Vitis vinifera, V. labrusca and V. riparia), citrus fruits (Citrus and Fortunella species), almonds (Prunus dulcis), peaches (P. persica), coffee (Coffea species) and the ornamental oleander (Nerium oleander) (EPPO, 2017). It has also been reported in other fruit crops such as pear (Pyrus pyrifolia), avocado (Persea americana), blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum and V. virgatum), Japanese plum (Prunus salicina), pecan (Carya illinoinensis), plum (Prunus domestica) and sour cherry (Prunus cerasifera), as well as in many trees including: American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), American white elm (Ulmus americana), liquidambar (Liquidambar styraciflua), oak (Quercus spp.), red maple (Acer rubrum) and red mulberry (Morus rubra) (EPPO, 2017). Xylella fastidiosa has also been detected in alfalfa (Medicago sativa), and in many species it does not cause symptoms, acting instead as a reservoir for the bacterium. Such species include wild grasses, sedges, lilies, various shrubs and trees (EPPO, 2017).

Contact for info