Scientific Opinion on the pest categorisation of Aonidiella citrina

Abstract

The Panel on Plant Health undertook a pest categorisation for the scale insect Aonidiella citrina for the European Union. A. citrina is a distinct species, but examination with a microscope is required to distinguish it from A. aurantii, which is also a citrus pest originating from Asia, but is much more widespread in southern Europe and far more damaging than A. citrina. A. citrina was first found in Europe in 1994 but has been recorded only in Italy, France and Greece. It is primarily a citrus pest, but has been found in association with a variety of other plant genera.