Importation of pitahaya fruit, Hylocereus spp. (mainly H. 

undatus and H. megalanthus), and other genera and species 

from Israel into the continental United States 

A Qualitative, Pathway-Initiated Pest Risk Assessment 

April 23, 2013 

Version 1

Agency Contact: 

Plant Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Laboratory 

Center for Plant Health Science and Technology 

United States Department of Agriculture 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

Plant Protection and Quarantine 

1730 Varsity Drive, Suite 300 

Raleigh, NC 27606 
Pest Risk Assessment for Pitahaya from Israel

Ver. 1 April 23, 2013 i 

Executive Summary 

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of 

Agriculture (USDA) prepared this risk assessment document to examine plant pest risks 

associated with importing commercially produced fruit of pitahaya, Hylocereus spp., including 

Hylocereus megalanthus (=Selenicereus megalanthus) and Hylocereus undatus (Cactaceae), for 

consumption from Israel into the continental United States. During the assessment, additional 

genera were included (Acanthocereus spp., Cereus spp., Echinocereus spp., Escontria spp., 

Myrtillocactus spp., Selenicereus spp., and Stenocereus spp.) because the terms “pitahaya” and 

“pitaya” commonly refer to a number of taxonomically related genera and species that have 

similar phytosanitary concerns (similar pests, similar production systems). Information received 

from Israel indicates that the pathway will include the following processes and conditions: 

plants are produced from certified mother plants and inspected daily by the growers; the fruit is 

handpicked and transported in cooled, closed wagons to the packinghouse, where they are sorted, 

graded, and stored at 8-10 °C; the fruit is treated in a chlorine (400 ppm) dip for 2 minutes, then 

dried and packed; Plant Protection and Inspection Services (PPIS) inspectors check 2 percent of 

each consignment for compliance with phytosanitary requirements; and fruit is shipped by air in 

pasteboard boxes. The risk assessment did not identify any pests that would be impacted by the 

above processes.. 

From the scientific literature, port-of-entry pest interception data, and information from the 

government of Israel, we identified only one pest with actionable regulatory status for the United 

States that is known to occur in Israel and known to be associated with the commodity plant 

species anywhere in the world: Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae). However, because of 

the lack of a host association in the field with pitahaya, we did not further analyze that pest.

Detailed examination and choice of appropriate phytosanitary measures to mitigate pest risk are 

part of the pest risk management phase within APHIS and are not addressed in this document. 
Pest Risk Assessment for Pitahaya from Israel

Ver. 1 April 23, 2013 ii 

Table of Contents 

Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................... i

1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 3

1.1. Background .......................................................................................................................... 3

1.2. Initiating event ...................................................................................................................... 3

1.3. Determination of the necessity of a weed risk assessment for the commodity .................... 4

1.4. Description of the pathway .................................................................................................. 4

2. Pest List and Pest Categorization ............................................................................................ 6

2.1. Pests considered but not included on the pest list ................................................................ 6

2.2. Pest list ................................................................................................................................. 7

2.3. Notes on pests identified in the pest list ............................................................................... 7

3. Summary and Conclusions of Risk Assessment ..................................................................... 8

4. Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... 8

5. Literature Cited ........................................................................................................................ 8

6. Appendix A. Pests with non-actionable regulatory status .................................................. 12
Pest Risk Assessment for Pitahaya from Israel

Ver. 1 April 23, 2013 3 

1. Introduction 

1.1. Background 

This document was prepared by the Plant Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Laboratory of the 

Center for Plant Health Science and Technology, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection 

Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) to evaluate the risks associated with the 

importation of commercially produced fruit of pitahaya (Hylocereus spp., including Hylocereus 

megalanthus (K. Schum. ex Vaupel) Ralf Bauer [=Cereus megalanthus K. Schum. ex Vaupel 

(basionym) =Selenicereus megalanthus (K. Schum ex Vaupel) Moran] and Hylocereus undatus 

(Haw.) Britton & Rose [=Cereus undatus Haw.]) for consumption from Israel into the 

continental United States. We included additional genera in our assessment (Acanthocereus spp., 

Cereus spp., Echinocereus spp., Escontria spp., Myrtillocactus spp., Selenicereus spp., and 

Stenocereus spp.) because the terms “pitahaya” and “pitaya” commonly refer to a number of 

taxonomically related genera and species (e.g., Jacobs, 1999; Janick and Paull, 2008) that have 

similar phytosanitary concerns (similar pests, similar production systems). This risk assessment 

considers the pest risks associated with “pitahaya,” “pitaya,” “pitajaya,” “pitajuia,” “pitalla,” 

“pithaya,” or “dragon fruit”, and any hybrids among these plants. The term “pitahaya” is used 

throughout this document to refer to all of these botanically related cacti that produce edible 

fruit, except for species of Opuntia. 

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) provides guidance for conducting pest risk 

analyses. The methods used here are consistent with guidelines provided by the IPPC, 

specifically the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) on “Pest Risk 

Analysis for Quarantine Pests, Including Analysis of Environmental Risks and Living Modified 

Organisms” (IPPC, 2011). The use of biological and phytosanitary terms is consistent with the 

“Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms” (IPPC, 2012). 

Three stages of pest risk analysis are described in international standards: Stage 1, Initiation; 

Stage 2, Risk Assessment; and Stage 3, Risk Management. This document satisfies the 

requirements of Stages 1 and 2. 

This is a qualitative risk assessment. We express the risk based on qualitative ratings for the 

likelihood and consequences of pest introduction via the imported fresh pitahaya fruit from 

Israel. The details of the methodology and rating criteria are found in the Guidelines for Plant 

Pest Risk Assessment of Imported Fruit and Vegetable Commodities (PPQ, 2012a). 

The appropriate risk management strategy for a particular pest depends on the risk posed by that 

pest. Identification of appropriate phytosanitary measures to mitigate pest risk is undertaken in 

Stage 3 (Risk Management) and is not covered in this risk assessment. Risk management will be 

specified in a separate document. 

1.2. Initiating event 

The importation of fruits and vegetables for consumption into the United States is regulated 

under Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 319.56 (7 CFR §319.56) (2012). 
Pest Risk Assessment for Pitahaya from Israel

Ver. 1 April 23, 2013 4 

Currently, under this regulation, the entry of pitahaya fruit from Israel into the United States is 

not authorized. This assessment was prepared in response to a request from the Plant Protection 

and Inspection Services (PPIS), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Israel to 

change the Federal Regulation to allow entry of fresh pitahaya fruit [Hylocereus, including H. 

megalanthus and H. undalatus] from Israel in the continental United States (PPIS, 2011). 

Because of taxonomic confusion among members of the Cactaceae referred to as pitaya and 

pitahaya (Janick and Paull, 2008), we also considered pests on Acanthocereus spp., Cereus spp., 

Echinocereus spp., Escontria spp., Myrtillocactus spp., Selenicereus spp., and Stenocereus spp. 

1.3. Determination of the necessity of a weed risk assessment for the commodity 

In some cases, the imported commodity may have the potential of becoming invasive in the PRA 

area. The likelihood that this may happen is evaluated in a weed risk assessment, conducted 

separately from the commodity risk assessment. 

Weed risk assessments do not need to be conducted for plant species that are widely established 

(native or naturalized) or cultivated in the PRA area, for commodities that are already enterable 

into the PRA area from other countries, or when the plant part(s) cannot easily disperse naturally 

or be propagated. We determined that a weed risk assessment is not needed for pitahaya. 

Hylocereus undatus is naturalized in the United States (FL) (eFloras, 2003). Pitahaya, including 

Hylocereus spp. and H. undatus, is already enterable from other countries (i.e., Mexico, 

Thailand, and Vietnam) (PPQ, 2012b). Pitaya fruit are not allowed entry from several counties 

(Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama) because 

program phytosanitary requirements in 7 CFR 319.56-55 for this commodity to meet U.S. entry 

requirements are not operational (PPQ, 2012b). Hylocereus megalanthus is listed as a naturalized 

and cultivated escape species elsewhere, but not a weed (Randall, 2012), and restricted from 

Colombia until an approved treatment is operational for plant pests (PPQ, 2013) . 

1.4. Description of the pathway 

The IPPC (2011) defines a pathway as “any means that allows the entry or spread of a pest.” In 

the context of commodity pest risk assessments, the pathway is the commodity to be imported, 

together with all the processes the commodity undergoes that may have an impact on pest risk. In 

this risk assessment, the specific pathway of concern is the importation of fresh fruit of 

Hylocereus spp., including H. megalanthus (“yellow pitahaya”) and H. undatus, and the 

additional genera listed in 1.2, for consumption from Israel into the continental United States. 

The movement of this commodity provides a potential pathway for the introduction and/or 

spread of plant pests. 

The following description of this pathway focuses on the conditions that may affect plant pest 

risk, including morphological and physiological characteristics of the commodity, as well 

processes the commodity will undergo from production in Israel through importation and 

distribution in the United States. These conditions provided the basis for creating the pest list and 

assessing the likelihood of introduction of the pests selected for further analysis; therefore, all 

components of the pathway, as they are described below, should be considered mandatory 

conditions for importation of the commodity. 
Pest Risk Assessment for Pitahaya from Israel

Ver. 1 April 23, 2013 5 

1.4.1. Description of the commodity 

Pitahaya species are members of the Cactaceae (Janick and Paull, 2008). Many taxonomic 

changes have occurred for pitahaya, including the movement of many species among genera 

(Janick and Paull, 2008). The most current classification places pitahaya within the genera 

Hylocereus and Selenicereus (Janick and Paull, 2008), but due to taxonomic confusion 

surrounding species of pitahaya, in this risk assessment we examine the following taxonomically 

related genera in addition to Hylocereus spp.: Acanthocereus spp., Cereus spp., Echinocereus 

spp., Escontria spp., Myrtillocactus spp., Selenicereus spp., and Stenocereus spp. 

PPQ officially recognizes the following species as pitahaya: Acanthocereus occidentalis, A. 

tetragonus [= A. colombianus, A. floridanus, A. pentagonus, A. pitajaya, Cactus pentagonus, C. 

pitajaya, C. tetragonus, Cereus pentagonus, C. pitajaya], Cereus hildmannianus [= Cactus 

peruvianus, Cereus uruguayanus], Echinocereus conglomeratus [= C. conglomeratus], E. 

stramineus [= C. stramineus, E. enneacanthus var. straminues], Escontria chiotilla [= C. 

chiotilla], Hylocereus costaricensis [= C. trigonus var. costaricensis], H. ocamponis (SalmDyck) Britton & Rose [= C. ocamponis], H. polyrhizus [= C. polyrhizus, H. lemairei], H. undatus 

[= Cactus triangularis, Cereus triangularis, C. tricostatus, C. trigonus var. guatemalensis, C. 

undatus, H. guatemalensis, H. tricostatus], Myrtillocactus geometrizans [= C. geometrizans], 

Stenocereus griseus [= C. griseus], S. gummosus (= C. gummosus), S. queretaroensis [= C. 

queretaroensis], S. stellatus [= C. stellatus], and S. thurberi [= C. thurberi, Lemairocereus 

thurberi, Marshallocereus thurberi, Pachycereus thurberi] (PPQ, 2012b). PPQ also recognizes 

Hylerocereus megalanthus [=Selenicereus megalanthus, Cereus megalanthus], yellow pitahaya 

(PPQ, 2013). 

1.4.2. Production and harvest procedures in the exporting area 

 Production practices specified for pitahaya fruit in Israel require plants to be produced from 

certified mother plants(PPIS, 2011; however, no description of certification requirements were 

provided). , “[F]lowers are hand pollinated and daily inspections are done by the growers. 

Insecticides and fungicides are only used when necessary” (PPIS, 2011). The fruit is handpicked, 

placed in plastic, aerated boxes (about 10 kg of fruit per box) and transported in cooled, closed 

wagons [ca.1-2 ton(s) of fruit per wagon] to the packinghouse, normally a short distance from 

the field (PPIS, 2011). 

1.4.3. Post-harvest procedures in the exporting area 

Pitahaya fruit is sorted and graded (quality and size not specified) upon arrival at the 

packinghouse. The fruit is treated in a chlorine (400 ppm) dip for 2 minutes, then dried and 

packed. “Non-packed fruit can be stored in refrigeration (8-10°C) for up to 2 weeks” but the length 

of time fruit is stored after packing was not specified (PPIS, 2011). PPIS inspectors check “2% of 

each intended consignment at the packing house or port of exit for compliance with phytosanitary 

requirements and adherence to quality standards. A phytosanitary certificate is issued by a PPIS 

officer, concluding a positive inspection” (PPIS, 2011). 

1.4.4. Shipping and storage conditions 

Shipping will be by air in pasteboard boxes, but storage conditions after packing were not 

specified (PPIS, 2011). 
Pest Risk Assessment for Pitahaya from Israel

Ver. 1 April 23, 2013 6 

1.4.5. Summary of the pathway 

Figure 1 summarizes the pathway of concern: the importation of fresh fruit of pitahaya for 

consumption from Israel into the continental United States. Although the Government of Israel 

specifically noted their intent to ship to the state of New York and the northeastern United States, 

in this risk assessment we considered the PRA area to be all of the continental United States. 

Figure 1. Pathway of fresh fruit of pitahaya from Israel into the continental United States. 

2. Pest List and Pest Categorization 

In this section, we identify the plant pests with actionable regulatory status for the continental 

United States that could become established in the continental United States as a result of the 

importation of pitahaya fruit from Israel, and we determine which of these pests meet the criteria 

for further analysis. Pests are considered to be of regulatory significance if they are actionable at 

U.S. ports-of-entry. Actionable pests include quarantine pests, pests considered for or under 

official control, and pests that require evaluation for regulatory action. 

2.1. Pests considered but not included on the pest list 

2.1.1. Pests with weak evidence for association with the commodity or for presence in the export 

area 

Pseudococcus cryptus Hempel (= Syn. Pseudococcus citriculus Green) (Hemiptera: 

Pseudococcidae) occurs in Israel (Ben-Dov et al., 2012) but we found no credible records of its 

association with the commodity (Hylocereus spp. and related genera). It was intercepted one 

time at a U.S. port-of-entry on Acanthocereus sp. in baggage (PestID, 2013), but we consider 

that insufficient evidence for association with the commodity. 

2.1.2. Organisms with non-actionable regulatory status 

We found evidence of the organisms listed in Appendix A being associated with pitahaya and 

being present in Israel; however, because these organisms have non-actionable regulatory status 

for the United States, we did not include them in Table 1 of this risk assessment. 
Pest Risk Assessment for Pitahaya from Israel

Ver. 1 April 23, 2013 7 

2.2. Pest list 

In Table 1, we list the actionable pests associated with pitahaya that occur in Israel. The list 

comprises those actionable pests that occur in Israel on any host and are reported to be associated 

with fresh fruit of pitahaya whether in Israel or elsewhere in the world. For each pest, we 

indicate 1) the part of the imported plant species with which the pest is generally associated, and 

2) whether the pest has a reasonable likelihood of being associated, in viable form, with the 

commodity following harvesting from the field and prior to any post-harvest processing. We 

developed this pest list based on the scientific literature, port-of-entry pest interception data, and 

information provided by the government of Israel. 

Table 1. Actionable pests reported on pitahaya (in any country) and present in Israel (on any 

host). 

Pest name Evidence of 

presence in 

Israel 

Host status1 Plant part(s) 

association2

On harvested 

plant 

part(s)?3

Remarks 

Ceratitis capitata

(Wiedemann) 

CABI, 2013 Type 2b (Keck 

and Marshall, 

1930; Sponagel 

et al., 2001) 

Fruit (Sponagel 

et al., 2001) 

No See discussion 

in section 2.3. 

2.3. Notes on pests identified in the pest list 

We only identified one actionable pest—Ceratitis capitata—in Israel with a host association 

with pitahaya. Existing literature refers either to forced laboratory infestations of pitahaya with a 

very low success rate (Keck and Marshall, 1930, as cited by Liquido et al., 2013; Sponagel et al., 

2001) or to bibliographic citations naming pitahaya as a host with no supporting field evidence 

(e.g., DeWoskin, 1981; Weems, 1981; Maes, 2004; Liquido et al., 2013). Ceratitis capitata was 

intercepted once on fruit of Acanthocereus sp. in baggage from Argentina in 1994 (PestID, 

2013). A single interception of an immature fruit fly in a commodity is insufficient evidence for 

a field host association, particularly when it occurred in passenger baggage. We found no 

published evidence that any species of pitahaya in this risk assessment (see Sections 1.1. and 

 

1

 Type 1 is a natural host, i.e., a plant species that becomes infested or infected by a plant pest in nature under 

natural conditions (e.g., natural, cultivated and/or unmanaged plants), and the plant pest is sustained on that plant 

species. Type 2 a, b is a conditional host, i.e. a plant species that is only a host or a non-host under certain 

conditions. Specifically, Type 2 b is a conditional non-host that under certain conditions becomes a host. Type 3 

is a natural non-host (pests for which the plant has this status are not included in the pest list). Type 4 refers to 

situations when the plant is not a food source but serves as a fomite, which is an object or material (including a 

harvested plant part) that may be contaminated with a pest and that could transmit that pest from one place to 

another (PPQ, 2012a). 2

 The plant part(s) listed are those for the plant species under analysis. If the information is extrapolated, such as 

from plant part association on other plant species, this is noted. 3

 “Yes” indicates simply that the pest has a reasonable likelihood of being associated with the harvested commodity; 

the level of pest prevalence on the harvested commodity (low, medium, or high) is qualitatively assessed in risk 

element A1 as part of the likelihood of introduction assessment (section 3). 
Pest Risk Assessment for Pitahaya from Israel

Ver. 1 April 23, 2013 8 

1.4.1 for the commodity’s taxonomic identity) is a field host for C. capitata. Based on the 

above, we believe that the pest is highly unlikely to be present in commercially produced 

pitahaya fruit.4

3. Summary and Conclusions of Risk Assessment 

We developed a list of all potential pests using the scientific literature, port-of-entry pest 

interception data, and information from the government of Israel. We identified only one pest 

with actionable regulatory status for the United States that is known to occur in Israel and known 

to be associated with the commodity plant species anywhere in the world: Ceratitis capitata

(Diptera: Tephritidae). However, because of the lack of a host association in the field with 

pitahaya, we did not further analyze that pest. 

Detailed examination and choice of appropriate phytosanitary measures to mitigate pest risk are 

part of the pest risk management phase within APHIS and are not addressed in this document. 

4. Acknowledgements 

Authors Betsy Randall-Schadel, Plant Pathologista

 Marina Zlotina, Entomologista

Reviewers Leah Millar, Entomologista 

 Scott Redlin, Plant Pathologist a

a

 Plant Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Laboratory, USDA-APHIS-PPQ 

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4

 Because of the high level of uncertainty around this particular issue, provisional mitigation measures might be 

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6. Appendix A. Pests with non-actionable regulatory status 

We found some evidence of the organisms listed below being associated with pitahaya (e.g., 

Hylocereus sp., mainly Hylocereus megalanthus and Hylocereus undatus, and associated genera 

of pitahaya) and being present in Israel; however, because these organisms have non-actionable 

regulatory status for the United States, we did not list them in Table 1 of this risk assessment. 

Below we list these organisms along with the references supporting their potential association 

with pitahaya (primarily Hylocereus sp., mainly Hylocereus megalanthus and Hylocereus 

undatus but also assessed Acanthocereus spp., Cereus spp., Echinocereus spp., Escontria spp., 

Myrtillocactus spp., Selenicereus spp., and Stenocereus spp.), their potential presence in Israel, 

their presence in the United States (if applicable), and their regulatory status for the United 

States. For organisms not present in the United States, we also provide justification for their nonactionable status. 

We did not include the following two non-actionable (occur both in the United States and Israel) 

organisms in the table below because their only association with the host was based on the few 

interception records: 

 Cadra cautella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): PestID, 2013 (intercepted three times 

with Hylocereus sp. in baggage); present in Israel and United States (CABI, 2013). 

 Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boheman) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): PestID, 2013 

(intercepted one time with Hylocereus sp. in baggage); present in Israel and United States 

(CABI, 2013). 

Organism Evidence and/or other notes 

Arthropods 

Abgrallaspis cyanophylli (Signoret) 

(Hemiptera: Diaspididae)

Ben-Dov et al., 2012. On commodities for consumption 

Diaspididae have non-actionable status (NIS, 2008). 

Acanthococcus coccineus (Cockerell) 

(Eriococcidae) 

[Syn. Eriococcus coccineus 

Cockerell] (Hemiptera: 

Eriococcidae)

Ben-Dov et al., 2012; PPIS, 2011 

Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: 

Aphididae) 

CABI, 2013; PestID, 2013 

Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: 

Aphididae) 

CABI, 2013; PestID, 2013 

Diaspis echinocacti (Bouché) 

(Hemiptera: Diaspididae) 

Ben-Dov et al., 2012 

Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zell. 

(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) 

PestID, 2013 (intercepted on Cereus sp.); Robinson et al., 2010 

Ephestia elutella (Hubner) 

(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) 

PestID, 2013 

Ferrisia malvastra (McDaniel) 

(Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) 

Ben-Dov et al., 2012 
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Organism Evidence and/or other notes 

Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) 

(Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

CABI, 2013; PestID, 2013 

Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret) 

(Hemiptera: Diaspididae)

PestID, 2013; Ben-Dov et al., 2012 

Icerya purchasi Maskell (Hemiptera: 

Monophlebidae) 

PestID, 2013; Ben-Dov et al., 2012 

Planococcus citri (Risso) (Hemiptera: 

Pseudococcidae) 

PestID, 2013; Ben-Dov et al., 2012 

Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni 

Tozzetti) (Hemiptera: 

Pseudococcidae)

PestID, 2013; Ben-Dov et al., 2012 

Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) 

(Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Ben-Dov et al., 2012 

Saissetia coffeae (Walker) 

(Hemiptera: Coccidae)

PestID, 2013; Ben-Dov et al., 2012 

Vryburgia brevicruris (McKenzie) 

(Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Ben-Dov et al., 2012 

Nematodes 

Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & 

White) Chitwood 

CABI, 2013; PestID, 2013; PPIS, 2011 

Meloidogyne javanica (Treub) 

Chitwood 

CABI, 2013; PPIS, 2011 

Fungi and Chromistans 

Aspergillus niger Tiegh. On Cereus grandifolia in Armenia, but also present in both the 

United States and Israel on other hosts (Farr and Rossman, 

2013). 

Bipolaris cactivora (Petr.) Alcorn (= 

Drechslera cactivora (Petrak) M.B. 

Ellis) 

Bipolaris cactivora, a pathogen of pitahaya fruit, flowers and 

stems (Ben-Ze’ev et al., 2011; Valencia-Botín et al., 2012; 

Tarnowski et al., 2010), is present both in the United States 

(Tarnowski et al., 2010; Farr and Rossman, 2013) and Israel 

(Ben-Ze’ev et al., 2011). 

Botryosphaeria dothidea (Moug:Fr.) 

Ces. & De Not. Anamorph: 

Fusicoccum aesculi Corda 

This pathogen on pitahaya fruit (Valencia-Botín et al., 2003) is 

reported in both the United States (Farr and Rossman, 2013) and 

Israel (Forest pest; FAO, 2008). 

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides 

(Penz.) Penz. & Sacc. 

(= C. gloeosporioides Penz.; 

Teleomorph: Glomerella cingulata

(Stoneman) Spaulding & Schrenk) 

This pathogen attacks fruits and stems of pitahaya (ValenciaBotín et al., 2012), but is reported in both the United States 

(Palmateer et al., 2007) and Israel (on Persea; Du et al., 2005). 

Curvularia lunata (Wakker) Beodijn Attacks fruit and stems (Valencia-Botín et al., 2012 ), but is 

present in both the United States (CABI, 2013; Farr and 

Rossman, 2013) and Israel (cactus thorns and causing 

eumycetoma in a dog; Elad et al., 1991). 
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Ver. 1 April 23, 2013 14 

Organism Evidence and/or other notes 

Diaporthe phaseolorum (Cooke & 

Ellis) Sacc. 

Hylocereus is a host (Farr and Rossman, 2013; Udayanga et al., 

2012), but pathogen is present in both the United States (Farr 

and Rossman, 2013) and Israel (Punithalingam and Holliday, 

1972). However, CABI (2013) indicates that the presence of D. 

phaseolorum var. sojae in Israel is based on an unreliable record. 

Fusarium oxysporum Schlechtend.:Fr. Causing a stem soft rot stem from the soil line to the graft union 

on H. undatus rootstock in Argentina (Wright et al., 2007), 

Fusarium oxysporum is present in the United States and in Israel 

on other hosts (Farr and Rossman, 2013). No evidence of host 

specificity, varieties, or forms of the pathogen on Hylocereus

was found. 

Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) 

Nirenberg 

Teleomorph: Gibberella 

moniliformis Wineland)

On pitaya (Bibliowicz and Hernández, 1998); the United States 

(various hosts, Farr and Rossman, 2013); Israel (on corn, Sharon 

et al., 2003). 

Note: G. fujikuroi is a synonym pro parte (mating population A 

only) (Farr and Rossman, 2013) 

Neoscytalidium dimidiatum (Penz.) 

Crous & Slippers =Fusicoccum 

dimidiatum (Penz.) D.F. Farr; 

Scytalidium dimidiatum (Penz.) B. 

Sutton & Dyko; Torula dimidiata

Penz.; Hendersonula toruloidea

Nattrass 

Spots and stem cankers on pitahaya (Hylocereus undatus and H. 

polyrhizus) in Taiwan (Chuang et al., 2012) and in China (Lan et 

al., 2012). Pathogen is reported in both the United States (CA, 

WV, WA, HI) (Farr and Rossman, 2013) and Israel (PPIS, 

2012). 

Phytophthora nicotianae Breda de 

Haan 

(=P. parasitica Dastur)

Cereus spp. Japan (Erwin and Ribeiro, 1996); the United States 

(Farr and Rossman, 2013); Israel on citrus (Hall, 1993; Farr and 

Rossman, 2013). 

Bacteria 

Enterobacter cloacae (Jordan) 

Hormaeche & Edwards

Plant pathogenic (fruit and stem rot) on two species of 

Hylocereus in Malaysia, though usually an endophyte (Masyahit 

et al., 2009). Present in the United States (various hosts; 

Valencia-Botín et al., 2012) and Israel (on pine pollen; 

Madmony et al., 2005). 

Pectobacterium carotovorum (L.R. 

Jones) Waldee subsp. caratovorum

(Jones) Hauben et al. emend. Gardan 

et al. 

(= Erwinia carotovora (L. R. Jones) 

Holland pv. carotovora (L. R. Jones) 

Bergey et al.)

Bacterial soft rot found in Florida on Cereus (Alfieri Jr. et al., 

1993), and an isolate has also been reported from Israel on 

maize, but is an ungrouped strain (Gardan et al., 2003). 

Xanthomonas campestris (Pammel) 

Dowson 

Stem rot on pitahaya in the the United States (Crane and Balerdi, 

2005); in Israel on other crops (Kritzman and Ben-Yephet, 1990; 

CABI, 2013). 
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Ver. 1 April 23, 2013 15 

Organism Evidence and/or other notes 

Virus 

Cactus virus X potevirus (CVX) This mechanically and graph transmitted potevirus causes mottle 

on stems in Taiwan (Liou et al., 2001) and systemic mild 

mottling of stem in China (Liou et al., 2004). Reported from all 

plant tissues, but not seed transmitted (ICTVdB Management, 

2006). Present in both United States (Chessin and Lesemann, 

1972) and Israel (PPIS, 2011).