In this study, six methods for the detection of Phytophthora ramorum in planta were compared using naturally infested rhododendron plant material. The methods included two immunological methods, one an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the other using a lateral flow format (LFD). Three molecular tests based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using TaqMan chemistry also were assessed, including two assays designed for specific detection of P. ramorum and one designed for genus-level detection of Phytophthora. Isolation followed by morphological identification also was assessed. The diagnostic values of each of the methods, evaluated based on diagnostic sensitivity, diagnostic specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value, were calculated based upon the test results from 148 field samples. The "gold standard" used for the calculations was the final diagnosis, which was based on either a positive PCR result or successful isolation of P. ramorum. The Phytophthora spp. TaqMan PCR, ELISA, and LFD had higher sensitivities than the P. ramorum-specific methods, which make them useful as prescreening methods, where positive results must be confirmed by PCR or isolation. The article discusses practical advantages and disadvantages of each of the methods and how they are valuable in the diagnostic process, according to the circumstances of use (that is, diagnosis or surveillance) and in relation to the prevalence of P. ramorum infestation in the population to be tested.

Since Thrips palmi became a regulated pest for most European countries, inspections at points of entry into Europe and monitoring in Europe have intensified not only for T. palmi but also for thrips as a whole. Morphological identification of thrips is performed on adults and to a lesser extent on second-stage larvae only, because no adequate identification keys for the separation of species based on the characteristics of eggs, first-stage larvae, pre-pupae or pupae are available . We have developed a real-time PCR assay based on TaqMan. A T. palmi -specific set of primers and probe were selected within the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. The specificity of the assay was assessed using 15 specimens of Thrips palmi and 61 specimens of 23 other thrips species commonly occuring in Europe. All T. palmi specimens were detected, and no cross reactions with other thrips were observed. The method was tested on single larvae and adults and proved to be applicable for both those stages of T. palmi .

Only adult males of Liriomyza bryoniae , L. huidobrensis , L. sativae and L. trifolii can be identified with certainty on basis of their genitalia. Female adults, pupae and larvae can only be identified on the level of groups of species ( L. bryoniae and L. huidobrensis vs. L. sativae and L. trifolii ). Species identification in all developmental stages is possible using molecular biological techniques. Our method is a PCR amplification of a 790-bp fragment of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase II (COII) DNA followed by RFLP analysis. The method was tested on single larvae, pupae and adults and proved to be applicable to these three life stages. The specificity of the assay was assessed by comparing the results of the PCR-RFLP analysis with those of morphological analysis using 60 Liriomyza specimens. Molecular and morphological identification agreed for all specimens analysed. PCR-RFLP is a powerful diagnostic tool for rapid and reliable identification of all life stages of economically important Liriomyza species.