1 - Phytosanitary Resources

Pathways
Perú, Poland, Portugal (including the Azores), Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (including the Canary Islands), Sweden,
Switzerland, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom (all regions), Uruguay,
Venezuela, and Western Sahara (USDA, 2011). Plants for planting of the
genera Capsicum and Phaseolus are also prohibited from all countries except
Canada (Nursery Stock Restrictions Manual, queried 02/08/10). As such, the
likelihood of entry of Tuta absoluta on imported plants for planting from these
genera is low.
Physalis peruviana (Cape gooseberry) is not listed in the PPQ Nursery Stock
Restrictions Manual, although Physalis philadelphica and P. pubescens (seed)
are listed (PPQ, 2009a). The PPQ 280 database (APHIS, 2010b) indicates that
material for propagation of the genus Physalis has arrived at U.S. ports.
Between 2000 and 2010, 86 shipments of Physalis were recorded. Of these
shipments, 7,850 plant units of Physalis from Colombia and 278 plant units
from the United Kingdom arrived at the Miami, FL plant inspection station,
and 9,190 plant units from the Netherlands arrived at the Newark, NJ seaport.
Because there is only one report of Physalis peruviana (Cape gooseberry)
reported as a host of Tuta absoluta (Garzia, 2009b), we are uncertain if
movement of Physalis propagative material is a pathway for entry of this pest.
However, because these are consignments of plants for planting, the risk for
pest introduction is high if infested plants are planted outdoors where other
host material may be present. In particular, T. absoluta can pupate inside leaf
mines (Uchoa-Fernandes et al., 1995; Viggiani et al., 2009) so there is a risk of
introducing pupae in this commodity.
Cut Flowers and Greenery
Capsicum and Physalis spp. are listed in the PPQ Cut Flowers and Greenery
Import Manual as regulated material (PPQ, 2009b). Other hosts of Tuta
absoluta (Solanum, Datura, and Nicotiana) are not listed so they are
prohibited from entering the United States under this category. Capsicum and
Physalis fruits are regulated to prevent entry of the Mediterranean fruit fly,
Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), and thus require an import permit in addition
to inspection. Stems, leaves, or inflorescences, of Capsicum and Physalis only
require inspection.
The PPQ 280 database indicates that cut flowers or greenery of Capsicum and
Physalis have arrived at U.S. ports (APHIS, 2010b). Between 2000 and 2010,
256 shipments of Capsicum arrived at U.S. ports with 133 of those shipments
originating from the Netherlands. During the same time period, 56 shipments
of Physalis arrived at U.S. ports with 30 consignments originating from the
Netherlands. Importation of cut flowers and greenery may be a pathway for
entry of Tuta absoluta, particularly through the movement of infested shipping
boxes or containers.
6/2011 Tomato Leafminer 8-11
Emergency and Domestic Programs