Pest categorisation of Anthonomus grandis

The European Commission requested EFSA to conduct a pest categorisation of Anthonomus grandis
(Coleoptera: Curculionidae), an oligophagous pest weevil feeding on Malvaceae, including Gossypium
spp., Hampea spp., Cienfuegosia spp. and Hibiscus pernambucensis. Marginal reproduction has also
been observed on the ornamental Hibiscus syriacus. A. grandis is a taxonomic entity with reliable
methods available for identification. It is regulated in the EU by Council Directive 2000/29/EC where it
is listed in Annex IIB as a harmful organism whose introduction into EU Protected Zones (PZ) (Greece
and the Spanish Communities of Andalusia, Catalonia, Extremadura, Murcia and Valencia) is regulated.
A. grandis is native to tropical regions of Mesoamerica and has spread to other cotton-growing areas
in the Americas, from the USA to Argentina, causing significant damage to this crop. An eradication
programme is in progress in the USA and has been successful in 16 previously infested states. In the
EU, phytosanitary measures are in place in order to limit entry via traded commodities. Cotton seeds
and fruit, as well as unginned cotton are currently regulated for the PZ but remain a potential
pathway. Furthermore, ornamental Malvaceae (e.g. Hibiscus spp.) originating in infested areas may
provide additional pathways. The EFSA Plant Health Panel concludes that A. grandis could establish
and spread in the cotton-growing areas of southern EU. Considering the criteria within the remit of
EFSA to assess the status as a potential Union quarantine pest (QP), as a potential protected zone
quarantine pest (PZQP), or as a potential regulated non-quarantine pest (RNQP), A. grandis satisfies
with no uncertainties the criteria to be regarded as a Union QP. However, it does not meet the criterion
of occurrence in the EU territory (for PZQP) plus that of plants for planting being the principal means
of spread (for RNQP)