Pest categorisation of Anthonomus bisignifer

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the strawberry bud weevil,AnthonomussignatusSay, (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), for the EU.A. signatusis a well-defined and distinguishablespecies, recognised as a pest of strawberry (Fragaria) fruit production in eastern North America whereit is also a pest ofRubus. There are reports ofA. signatusassociated with non-rosaceous plants suchasMentha, Nepeta, RhododendronandSolidagoalthough whether such plants are true hosts isuncertain. This pest categorisation focuses onFragariaandRubusas hosts.Anthonomus signatusisnot known to occur in the EU. It is listed in Annex IIAI of Council Directive 2000/29/EC. Theinternational trade inFragariaandRubusplants for planting provides a potential pathway to introduceA. signatusfrom North America. Considering climatic similarities between North America and the EU,the thermal biology ofA. signatusand host distribution in the EU,A. signatushas the potential toestablish within the EU. There would be one generation per year, as in North America. As a pest offield grownFragariaandRubus,A. signatuswould not be expected to establish in EU glasshouses. InNorth America, adults clip developing buds, preventing fruit development and reducing yield. Lossesare variable and depend on the cultivars attacked. Severe crop losses have been reported. However,someFragariacultivars can compensate the loss of buds, e.g. by increasing the weight of fruitsdeveloping on remaining buds. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood ofintroduction ofA. signatusfrom North America. All criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as apotential Union quarantine pest are met. AsA. signatusis not known to occur in the EU, this criterionassessed by EFSA to consider it as a Union regulated non-quarantine pest is not met.