Ver. 1 (Original) September 5, 2012 0



## Importation of fresh edible flowers of Izote ( **Yucca guatemalensis**  **Baker) into the c**  **ontinental United States from Guatemala** 

**A Pathway -**  **Initiated Risk Assessment**

**Version 1**  **September 5**  **, 2012**

**Agency Contact** Center for Plant Health Science and Technology Plant Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Laboratory United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine 1730 Varsity Drive, Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27606Ver . 1 (Original) September 5 , 2012 ii



### Executive Summary The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHI S) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prepared this risk assessment document to examine plant pest risks associated with importing fresh flowers of izote ( Yucca guatemalensis Baker) from Guatemala into the continental United States. We prepared a list of pests associated with izote in Guatemala based on documentation submitted by the Ministry

for Agriculture and Livestock and Food of Guatemala, scientific literature, records of intercepted pests at ports - of

- entry , and the opinion s of experts in the field on i zote production. We identified one pest, the gray pineapple meal ybug (Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Beardsley) , as a quarantine pest that may

follow the pathway

and be introduced with negative consequences if not mitigated with specific phy tosanitary measures. The Pest Risk Potential for D

. neobrevipes was Medium. Id entification and selection of appropriate sanitary and phy tosanitary measures to mitigate risk for pests with particular Pest Risk Potential ratings are undertaken as part of the risk

- management phase and is not discussed in this document.Ver . 1 (Original) September 5 , 2012 iii



### T **able of Contents Executive Summary**  **................................ ................................**  **................................ ......................**  **ii 1. Introduction**  **................................ ................................**  **................................ ................................**  **1** 1.1. Background

................................ ................................ ................................ ............................. 1 1.2. Commodity

information

................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 1 **2. Risk Assessment ................................**  **................................ ................................**  **.......................... 2**  2.1. Initiating Event: Proposed Action

................................ ................................ ........................... 3 2.2. Assessment of Weed Potential of Yucca guatemalensis

................................ ......................... 3 2.3. Current Status, Decision History and Pest Interceptions

................................ ........................ 4 2.4. Pest Categorization

—Id entification of Pests of Izote in Guatemala

................................ ...... 4 2.5. Quarantine Pests Likely to Follow the Pathway

................................ ................................ ..... 7 2.6. Consequences of Introduction

................................ ................................ ................................ 7 2.7. Likelihood of Introduction

................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 9 2.8. Pest Risk Potential and Conclusion

................................ ................................ ...................... 10 **3. Literature Cited ................................**  **................................ ................................**  **........................ 11**  **4. Preparers and Reviewers ................................**  **................................ ................................**  **......... 14**  **5. Appendices ................................**  **................................ ................................**  **................................ 15**  Appendix A. Pests intercepted on Yucca guatemalensis from 1985 to 2004
.............................. 15 Appendix B. Plant species related to families of hosts of Dysmicoccus neobrevipes listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service considered as endangered or threatened.

................................ ... 16Ver
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### 1. **Introduction 1.1. Background**  This risk assessment was prepared b y the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), Center for Plant Health Science and Technology (CPHST), Plant Epidemiology and Risk Analy sis Laboratory

(PERAL). Our purpose was to examine pest risks associated with the importation of Iz ote Yucca guatemalensis Baker as fresh fruit from Guatemala into the continental United States. This risk assessm ent examined the pest risk of commercial quality izote , which undergoes cleaning and washing of sap of each individual fruit as part of standard post - harvest treatment. Plant pest risks associated with the imp ortation of fresh fruit of Izote from Guatemala into the United States were estimated and assigned the qualitative terms of high, medium or low, in accordance with the template document, Guidelines for Pathway

-Initiated Pest Risk Assessments, Version 5
. 02 (PPQ, 2000). Regional and inter

national plant protection organizations such as the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) provide standards for conducting pest risk anal ys es (IPPC, 200 9 : I SPM #s 11; NAPPO, 2004). The use of biological and phy tosanitary terms is consistent with the ‘Glossary of Phy tosanitary Terms and the Compendium of Phy tosanitary Terms’ (IPPC, 2009: I SPM #5). The methods used to initiate, conduct, and report this assessment, as well as the use of bi ological and phy tosanitary terms are based on these standards. The IP PC standards describe three stages of pest risk anal ys is: Stage 1, Initiation; Stage 2, Risk Assessment; and Stage 3, Risk Management. This document satisfies the requirements of IPPC Stages 1 and 2. **1.2. Commodity information** Yucca guatemalensis Baker (Class: Monocotyl edonae, Order: Asparagales, Family : Agavaceae) is native to the s outhwestern United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Guatemala (Bartolomaus et al., 1990; Gardening Australia, 2000; Sanchez de Lorenzo, 2003; USDA and NRCS, 2002). Izote belongs to the Yucca genus , which includes approximately 40 species, distributed mainly in the United States, Mexico, Central America, and Cuba (Nuñez, 1994). The sy nony m Yucca elephantipes is commonly cited for this species in several documents and in databases in Guatemala and Central America. Yucca guatemalensis is known as izote in Guatemala , and is also called spineless or giant yucca. Its leaves are pliabl e and lack the sharp spines on the tips that are characteristic of most y uccas. The plant may

reach a height of 9.1m (30 ft) (USDA and NRCS. 2002 ) . With age the stem becomes rough and thick, and when mature it develops a swollen base and often branches a f ew feet off the ground. The leaves, which grow in a spiral rosette, are shiny green, reaching 1.2m (4 ft) in length and close to 7.6 cm (3 in) in width, with serrated margins ( Bailey and Bailey , 1976; Christman, 2002). Iz ote grows in arid regions of southern Mexico and Central America.Ver
. 1 (Original) September 5 , 20 12 2

The inflorescence is an erect panicle 60

- 70 cm (23.62

- 27.56 in.) long, with distinct white , fragrant flowers with 1 to 2 (Gray um, 2003; Nuñez, 1994) . The stamens are attached right under the ovary . The flowers are white or pale ye llow and correspond to a clustered inflorescence. In Guatemala , budding occurs when the plant reaches 4 to 7 years of age
. Inflorescences appear at the beginning of the rainy season (April, May) and generall y one inflorescence per stem is formed (Bartolomaus et al., 1990; Nuñez, 1994). The flowers of izote are edible and, in Guatemala, are consumed cooked or stewed with eggs or pickled. The flowers contain calcium, iron, thiamine, niacin, phosphorus, carotene, and ascorbic acid (Nuñez, 1994).

**Figure 1** . (a) Izote Inflorescence (CEF, 2005)

. (b) Packed izote flowers (CEF, 2005). 

### 2. Risk **Assessment** In this risk assessment, the first five Risk Elements considered are combined to form an assessment of the risk associated with the Consequences of Introduction. Six Sub

- Elements are evaluated and combined for value that estimate the risk associated with the Likelihood of Introduction. Together, the Consequences of Introduction and the Likelihood of Introduction values form an assessment of the Pest Risk Potential.Ver
. 1 (Original) September 5 , 20 12 3

**2.1. Initiating Event: Proposed Action** This commodity

- based, pathway

- initiated assessment is in response to a request made by the Ministry for Agriculture, Livestock, and Food of Guatemala (dated March 28, 2011) to the USDA for authorization to allow the importation of izote. In this case, the importation into the continental United States of izote flowers, grown in Guatemala, is a potential pathway for the introdu ction of plant pests. **2.2. Assessment of Weed Potential of Yucca guatemalensis**  The results of the screening for the potential of izote as a weed did not prompt a weed

- initiated risk assessment (Table 1). **Table 1** . Assessment of w eed p otential of Yucca guatemalensis

. **Scientific name and author** : Yucca guatemalensis Baker **Plant family** : Agavaceae **Synonyms** : Yucca elephantipes Regel; Y. gigantea Baker; Y. ghiesbreghtii Baker; Y. lenneana Baker; Y. mazelii Hort. ex Watson; Y. mooreana Hort. Peacock ex Baker; Y . roezlii Hort. ex Baker. (Etter and Kristen, 1997

- 2004; FACTOPIA, 2005; Moller, 1998
- 2003). **Common names** : Bayoneta, Bluestem y ucca, Elephant y

ucca, Flor de itabo, Hitavo, Izote, Palmito, Soft

- Tip Yucca, Spineless yucca ( CABI, 20 12 Gilman and Watson, 1994; Randall et al

. , 2002; Gray

um, 2003; World Agroforestry Centre, 2005 ) **Phase 1:** This plant is native to the southwest United States (Bartolomaus et al., 1990). This species reportedly occur s in Belize, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, and the United States (GDIF, 2005). **Phase 2:** NO Geographical Atlas of World Weeds (Holm et al ., 1991a). NO The World’s Worst Weeds (Holm et al ., 1991b). NO Report of the Technical Committee to Evaluate Noxious Weeds; Exotic Weeds for the Federal Noxious Weed Act (APHIS , 2000). NO Economically

Important Foreign Weeds (Reed, 1977). NO Weed Science Society of America, 2005. NO AGRI COLA (AGRIS/CARI S, 2005). NO Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas (Swearingen, 2003). Other literature and database search indicating weediness: NO World weeds: natural histories and distributions (Holm et al ., 1997). NO World Economic Plants (Wiersema and León, 1999). NO Florida’s Invasive Species List, Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC, 2003). NO CABI, 20 12 Crop Protection Compendium. Search on Weed. **Phase 3:** A weed

- initiated risk assessment is not initiated for Yucca guatemalensis because there is no evidence of invasive behavior by this plant within the literature and due to the fact that the responses to the above were negative.Ver
. 1 (Original) September 5 , 20 12 4

**2.3. Current Status, Decision History and Pest Interceptions** Currently , the exportation of fresh flowers of izote for consumption into the United States from Guatemala is not permitted (USDA, 2005). A number of pests have been intercepted on izote entering the United States , but most were not identified to species level ( s ee Appendix A). **2.4. Pest C ategorization** 

**— Identification of Pests of Izote in Guatemala**  In Table 2, we present information on the geographic distribution, host associations, and regulatory

data for izote from Guatemala. We listed (1) the presence of pests in Guatemala relative to th eir presence within the United States, (2) the generall y affected plant part or parts, (3) the quarantine status of the pest in the United States, (4) whether or not the pest is likely to follow the pathway

into the United States on izote, and (5) pertinent citations for either the distribution or the biology of the pest. Many organisms are not sources of phy tosanitary risk on izote from Guatemala because they do not satisfy

the definition of a quarantine pest. A quarantine pest is defined as “A pest of pot ential economic importance to the area endangered thereb y and not yet present there, or present but not widel y distributed and being officially controlled” (IPPC, 2009: I SPM No. 5).
**Table 2.** Pests associated with Yucca guatemalensis and present in Guatemala

. **Pest Scientific Name and Taxonomy**  **Geographic distribution**  **1 Plant part** 

**affected 2**  **Quaran**  

** tine pest** **Follow**

**pathway References**  **ARTHROPODA Insecta**  **Coleoptera: Curculionidae** Scyphophorus acupunctatus Gyllenhal GU, US R, S No No Berry , 1959; CABI, 2012; Nearctica, 1998 **Hemiptera: Diaspididae** Chrysomphalus dictyospermi (Mogan) GU, US F, L, S, Sh No No Ben
- Dov et al., 2005; CABI, 2012 **Hemiptera: Ps**  **eudococcidae** Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Beardsley GU, US (FL) F, Fl, L, R Yes Yes Ben
- Dov et al., 2005; Kessing and Mau, 1992; OIRSA, 2005; Williams and Granara, 1992

**1** Geographic Distribution: CA = Central America, SV = El Salvador, US = United States. **2** Plant Part Affected: Branch= B, Flower= Fl, Fruit= F, Leaf= L, Root= R, Seeds= Se, Seedling= Sd, Shoot= Sh, Stem= S, Tuber= T.Ver
. 1 (Original) September 5 , 20 12 5

**Pest Scientific Name and Taxonomy**  **Geographic distribution**  **1 Plant part** 

**affected 2**  **Quaran**  

** tine pest** **Follow**

**pathway References**  Nipaecoccus nipae (Maskell) GU, US F, L, S, Sh No No Ben
- Dov et al., 2005; CABI, 2012; Howard et al., 2001; Williams and Granara, 1992 Pseudococcus landoi 3 (Balachowsky) GU F Yes No Ben
- Dov et al., 2005; PestID 2012 **BACTERIA** Erwinia spp. Enterobacteriales GU S, S d Yes No Bonilla and Merino, 1988; Clark, 1990; FUSADES, 2005 **FUNGI** 4 Alternaria alternata (Fr.:Fr.) Keissl Sy n : A

. tenuis Nees (Mitosporic fungi: Hy phomyc etes) GU, US L No No Escobar, 2003; Farr et al., 1989; Villalobos and Cárdenas, 2002
Alternaria sp. (Mitosporic fungi: Hy phomyc etes) GU, US L, Sd ,F Yes Yes Acuña and Rivera, 1976; Farr et al., 1989; McGuire and Crandall, 1967; Padilla and Palma, 1985 Apodothina pringlei (Peck) Sy n: Sphaerodothis pringlei (Peck) Thiss & Syd (L oculoascomyc etes: Dothideales) GU, US L No No Farr et al., 1989; Wellman, 1977

Curvularia sp . ( Mitosporic fungi: Hy phomyc etes) GU L Yes No Acuña and Rivera, 1976; Alfieri et al., 1994; Escobar, 2003; Bonilla and Merino, 1988; Farr et al., 1989; Villalobos and Cárdenas, 2002 Cytosporina sp. (Mitosporic fungi: Coelomycetes) GU L Yes No Anony mous, undated; Farr et al., 1989; Villalobos and Cárdenas, 2002

**3** The evidence for yucca being a host is am biguous. Only Ben Dov et al. (2005) mention yucca as a host, while Williams and Granara (1992) and Ben

- Dov (1994) do not, and their descriptions consistently state that the primary host is banana ( Musa sp). In addition, the only evidence that the mealybug may convey on flowers is from PestID (2012), but the plant part descriptions are ambiguous, are found on o nly one species from one inspector, and are equally likely to be result of data entry error as a description of the area where the mealybugs were found. Due to the high likelihood of data error and the lack of consistent evidence, we do not analyze this in sect. **4** Fungal taxonomic classification as in Farr et al

. ( 1989 ).Ver
. 1 (Original) September 5 , 20 12 6

**Pest Scientific Name and Taxonomy**  **Geographic distribution**  **1 Plant part** 

**affected 2**  **Quaran**  

** tine pest** **Follow**

**pathway References**  Fusarium sp. (Mitosporic fungi: Hy phomyc etes) GU L, S, Sd Yes Yes Clark et al., 1988; Farr et al., 1989; Farr et al., 2005; Padilla and Palma, 1985; González et al

. , 2001 Glomerella cingulata (Stoneman) Spauld. & H. Screnk. (Anamorph: Colletotrichum gloesporoides (Penz.) Penz.& Sacc. In Penz) (Py renomycetes: Phyllachorales) GU, US Fl, L No Yes Acuña and Rivera, 1976; Farr et al., 1989 ; McGuire and Crandall, 1967; Rodríguez, 2003; Villalobos and Cárdenas, 2002; Wellman, 1977 Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. ( Mitosporic fungi: Agonomyc etes) GU, US R No No Acuña and Rivera, 1976; Alfieri et al., 1994; Farr et al., 1989; FUSADES, 2005; Villalobos and Cárdenas, 2002 **NEMATODA** 5 Helicotylenchus spp. (Hoplolaimidae) GU R Yes No Fernández et al., 2002; Ferris, 2001; Padilla and Palma, 1985 Meloidogyne spp. (Heteroderidae) GU R Yes No CABI, 2006; Fernández et al., 2002; Ferris, 2001; Padilla and Palma, 1985; González et al

. , 2001 Rotylenchulus reniformis Linford & Oliveira (Hoplolaimidae) GU, US R No No CABI, 2006; Ferreira and Boley , 1991 ; Ferris, 2001 Pratylenchus spp. (Pratylenchidae) GU R Yes No Fernández et al., 2002; Ferris, 2001; Padilla and Palma, 1985 **VIRUS** Yucca baciliform badnavirus GU L Yes No Brunt, 1996 onwards

**5** Nematode taxonomic classification as in Ferris ( 2001 )

.Ver. 1 (Original) September 5, 2012 7

**2.5. Quarantine Pests Likely to Follow the Pathway** We found one quarantine pest , Dysmicoccus neobrevipes , that is likely to follow the pathway ( i.e. , be included in commercial shipments of izote flowers from Guatemala)

. We found no report s of this insect on izote flowers in the worldwide literature , but we analyzed this insect in detail because it is reported on Yucca elephantipes , and because biological information about this insect indicated it was associat ed with flowers of other species. In addition, we found the following pests that were only identified to the genus level : Erwinia sp., Alternaria sp ., Curvularia sp., Cytosporina sp. Fusarium sp., Meloidogyne spp., and Pratylenchus spp. Lack of species identification may indicate limited taxonomic knowledge about that group, inappropriate life stage for full identification, or poor quality of the specimen. This lack of biological information on any given insect or pathogen should not be equated with low risk. By

necessity , pest risk assessments focus on those organisms for which biological information is available and for which effective mitigation proced ures may be developed ( IPPC, 200 9: I SPM No. 11). Agricultural inspectors at the port

- of

- entry will continue to take action against pests not i dentified to the species level if other species in the same genus are quarantine pests. Furthermore, if pests identified to only higher taxa are intercepted in the future, the USDA may re - evaluate their risk. S hould any of these pests be intercepted in shipments of izote flowers, quarantine action will be taken and additional risk anal ys es will be conducted. **2.6 .**  **Consequences of Introduction** We rated the potential consequences of introduction for D

. neobrevipes using five Risk Elements: Climate

- Host Interaction, Host Range, Dispersal Potential, Economic Impact, and Environmental Impact. For each Risk Element, pest is assigned a rating of Low (1 point), Medium (2 points) , or High (3 points). We then calculated a cumulative risk rating b y adding up all of the Risk Element values. The ratings for D

. neobrevipes for the five risk elements are shown below ( Table 3 )

. **Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Beardsley**  2.6.1. Climate

- Host Interaction Dysmicoccus neobrevipes is widespread in the following tropical countries: the Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Virgin Islands (in Central and South America) ( Ben
- Dov et al., 2005; Williams and Granara, 1992). In the Asian Pacific basin, this species is reported in American Samoa, Fiji, Guam, the Hawaiian Islands, Kiribati, the Marshall I slands, the Northern Mariana Island s , and Western Samoa. In East Asian countries , it is reported in India, China, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam , and within the Palearctic region , it is reported in Sicily (Ben

Dov et al., 2005; CABI, 2006; Kessing and Mau, 1992). Some of the aforementioned regions are l ocated at latitudes corresponding to plant hardiness zones 8 to 11 of the c ontinental United States (USDA

- ARS, 2003). Thus, this species may become established within these areas due to suitable environmental conditions. Furthermore, within the United Stat es, in Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Tennessee, among others , there are cultivated areas of different species that can be hosts of this pest such as Ananas comosus , Citrus aurantifolia , Citrus limon , Citrus sinensis , Lyc opersicum sculentum , Musa sp., and Zea mays ( Ben
- Dov et al., 2005; USDA and NRCS, 2002 ). Consequently , we rated this element Medium.Ver
. 1 (Original) September 5 , 20 12 8

2.6.2. Host Range The main host for D

. neobrevipes is pineapple ( Ananas comosus ) ( Ben
- Dov et al., 2005; CABI, 2006). Nonetheless, several authors report this pest on more than 45 species and 18 genera of plants (DAFF, 2004; Kessing and Mau, 1992; Williams and Granara, 1992). On the other hand, Ben
- Dov et al. ( 2005 ) reports this insect on 44 different plant f amilies, 9 genera, and 67 species, which include Aglaonema treubii , Allium cepa , Annona muricata , A

. reticulata , A

. squamosa , Citrus aurantifolia , C

. limon, C

. sinensis , Guettarda speciosa, Lycopersicon esculentum , Mangifera indica , Musa paradisiaca , Nephelium lappaceum , Plumeria acuminata , Samanea saman , Solanum melongena , Tectona grandis , Vigna sesquipedalis, and Zea mays . Many of these species are widel y cultivated in the United States (USDA and NRCS, 2002). Consequently, the risk rating for Host Range is High. 2.6.3. Dispersal Potential The immature sta ge of this species may move for a short period of time, no more than one day , but may disperse several yards to other plants via wind or phores y by other insects , such as the three ant species , Iridomyrmex humilis , Solenopsis germinata var. rufa , and Pheidole megacephala (H ym enoptera: Formicidae) ( DAFF, 2004; Kessing and Mau, 1992). More than 1 , 300 interceptions of this pest have been reported in PestID from 40 different countries. We rated Dispersal Potential Low

. 2.6.4. Economic Impact I f D

. neobrevipes enters the United States it is likely to cause yi eld loss to crops such as Ananas comosus , Citrus aurantifolia , C

. limon , C

. sinensis , Lycopersicum sculentum , Musa sp., and Zea mays, which are present at least in Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Tennessee (USDA and NRCS, 2002). We rated Economic Impact Medium. 2.6.5. Environmental Impact Dysmicoccus neobrevipes is found o n 44 plant families. Of these, the following families contain species listed as threatened or endangered : Agavaceae, Annonaceae, Anacardiaceae, Apocy naceae, Cucurbitaceae, Liliaceae, Orchidaceae, Pol ygonaceae, Sterculiaceae, and Verbenaceae (USFWS, 2005)

. These families are foun d within the continental United States in areas suitable for this insect’s development

. S pecies belonging to the se families are considered to be threatened and endangered in the continental United States, i.e. , Agave arizonica and Nolina brittoniana from the Agavaceae family (see Appendix B) (USFWS, 2005). The establishment of this pest would likely lead to the implementation of chemical and biological control programs in order to control its populations , as well as the populations of the ants that protect it (examples of controls where it was introduced). The risk rating for Environmental Impact is High.
**Table 3.** Risk rating for Consequences of Introduction

. **Pest Risk elements**  **Cumulative Risk Rating**  **Climate -**  **Host Interaction**  **Host**

**Range Dispersal**  **Potential Economic** 

**Impact Environmental** 

**Impact** Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Med (2) High (3) Low (1) Med (2) High (3) Medium (11)Ver
. 1 (Original) September 5 , 20 12 9

**2.7 .**  **Likelihood of Introduction** The Likelihood of Introduction is based upon two separate components. First, we estimate the amount of commodity

likely to be imported (Sub

- Element #1). The rating for the quantity annually imported is based on the amount reported by the country

of the proposed export and is converted into standard units of 40

- foot

- long shipping containers. Second, we estimate pest opportunity

using five biological features (Sub

- Elements #2

- 6). Details of the rating criteria are explained in PPQ (2000). These ratings are summarized below ( Table 4 )

. 2.7.1. Quantity

of commodity

annuall y imported Currently , izote flower production in Guatemala is small

- scale because , in the majority of the cases, this plant is grown as a live barrier against erosion (Clark et al., 1988). Iz ote plants are mainly harvested as cane for ornamental use to export to different countries (Cubías, 1992; Nuñez, 1994). Although we found no specific information about the quantity of izote flowers that would be exported annual , both the commodity and the market suggest that the quantity would be small. Thus, the quantity

of commodity

initially exported annually

is expected be L ow ; exports are unlikely to be greater than ten 40
- foot

- long containers per ye ar. 2.7.2. Survival of p ost - h arvest treatment M any elements of post

- harvest processing described above may be highly effective against surface feeders, including mealy bugs. For example, w ashing and drying would likely reduce the presence of D

. neobrevipes on flowers of izote, but no research confirm s this. Since no standard post - harvest treatment s have been described for this product, the likelihood of these pests surviving is High. 2.7.3. Survive shipment We have no information on the shipping conditions for izote from Guatemala, but D

. neobrevipes seems likely

to survive the shipment period , based on the fact that live D

. neobrevipes have been intercepted more than 1 , 300 times on shipments of different products ( P est ID , 2012 ). The risk associated with this pest surviving during shipment is High. 2.7.4. Not detected at the port

- of

- entry Dysmicoccus neobrevipes adults are 0.15 cm (1/17 in) in length and 0.01 cm (1/25 in) in width. They are brown to grayish

- orange, taking a grayish appearance in combination with the waxy exudat e that covers them (Kes sing and Mau, 1992). The larvae are likel y to be seen as they move. C oloration differences between the pests and the izote flowers should facilitate their detection at ports - of

- entry
. This pest has been intercepted b y i nspectors (see above ) on several products. The risk of not detecting this pest at the port

- of

- entry is Medium. 2.7.5. Imported or moved to an area environmentally suitable for survival The main markets for this product are located in the s outhwestern United States (California and Texas) (Batres et al., 2001). Because the demand for the product is so specific, we do not anticipate that it will be sold outside of these areas . This pest requires tropical and sub

- tropical climates and considering destination market s within the area suitable for survival, the probability of it being moved to an area suitable for its survival is Medium(2)

.Ver
. 1 (Original) September 5 , 20 12 10

2.7.6. Come into contact with host material suitable for reproduction Dysmicoccus neobrevipes has many hosts available for reproduction ( Ben
- Dov et al., 2005 ; DAFF , 2004 ). Despite that, the pest has a limited inherent ability to move long distances . The m obile stage (crawlers) move for no more than one day , and onl y over short distances on the same plant or to neighboring plants ( DAFF, 2004; Kessing and Mau, 1992). Izote flower importations from Guatemala are expected to occur only from May

to October, when izote budding occurs in Guatemala (MAG, 2 011) . The rating for the risk that D. neobrevipes will find host material suitable for reproduction is L ow. The likelihood that a particular pest will be introduced is reflected in the value for the Cumulative Risk Rating. The Cumulative Risk Rating is Medium ( 11 points) for Dysmicoccus neobrevipes (Table 4). **Table 4. Risk Rating for Likelihood of Introdu ction**  **Pest Sub**  **- Element**  **Cumulative Risk**  **Rating a**  **Quantity Imported**  **Annually Survive** 

**Post**   ** Harvest** **Treatment Survive** 

**Shipment Not** 

**Detected at Port of**  **Entry Moved to** 

**Suitable Habitat**  **Contact**

**with Host Material**  Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Low (1) High (3) High (3) Med (2) Med ( 2 ) Low (1) Medium (1 2 ) a Lo w is 6

- 9 points, Medium is 10

- 14 points, and High is 15

- 18 points.
**2.8. Pest Risk Potential and Conclusion** Pest Risk Potential is the s um of the Consequences of Introduction and the Likelihood of Introduction values (Table 5). Pest Risk Potential is a baseline estimate of the risks associated with importation of the commodity in the absence of mitigation measures. Dysmicoccus neobrevipes has a Medium Pest Risk Potential. Id entification and selection of appropriate phy tosanitary measures to mitigate the risk from pests with particular Pest Risk Potential ratings is undertaken as part of the risk management phase within APHI S and is not finalized in this document. The appropriate risk management strategy for a particular pest depends on the risk posed by that pest. APHI S risk management programs are risk

- based and dependent upon the availability of appropriate mitigation methods.
**Table 5.**  Pest Risk Potential **Pest Consequences of**  **Introduction Likelihood of** 

**Introduction Pest Risk Potential**  **a** Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Medium (11) Medium (1 2 ) Medium (2 3 ) a Lo w is 11

- 18 points; Medium is 19

- 26 points and High is 27

- 33 points.Ver
. 1 (Original) September 5 , 20 12 11



### 3. **Literature Cited** Acuña, E , and S. Rivera. 1976. Plagas y Enfermedades Identificadas durante 1976. Centro Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria

- CENTA
- . AGRI S/CARI S. 2005. FAO. AGRIS Database, 1975

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### 4. Preparers and Reviewers **Preparers:** John Rogers, USDA APHI S PPQ
- CPHST, Raleigh, North Carolina Helena Moreno Beltran, CEF Colomb ia Luis Ernesto Forero, USDA APHI S PPQ
- CPHST, Bogota, Colombia **Reviewer** : Marina Zlotina, USDA APHI S PPQ
- CPHST, Raleigh, North CarolinaVer
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### 5. Appendices **Appendix A. Pests intercepted on Yucca guatemalensis**  **from 1985 to 2004 (PestID, 2009)**  **. Pest**  **Origin Plant part affected**  **Interceptions (no.)** Amphiacusta sp . Honduras Plant 1 Anomala sp . Honduras Plant 1 Anthostomella sp . Dominican Republic Stem 1 Anurogryllus sp . Honduras Plant 1 Bagnalliella sp . Costa Rica, Honduras Cutting, Plant 11 Batrachedra sp . Mexico Cutting 1 Cicadellidae, species of Costa Rica Cutting, Plant 4 Cladosporium sp. Costa Rica Cutting 1 Coccidae, species of Costa Rica Cutting 1 Diaprepes abbreviatus Honduras Plant 1 Discochora yuccae Costa Rica Plant 1 Dyscinetus sp . Honduras Cutting 1 Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Dominican Republic Cutting, Plant 2 Elateridae, species of Honduras Cutting 1 Gryllidae, species of Honduras Cutting 1 Gryllus sp. Honduras Cutting, Plant 3 Hepialidae, species of Honduras Cutting 1 Heteroptera, species of Costa Rica Cutting 1 Insecta, species of Costa Rica, Honduras Cutting, Plant 5 Lepidoptera, species of Honduras Cutting 2 Luzara rufipennis Honduras Plant 1 Montezumina sp . Guatemala Leaf 1 Noctuidae, species of Costa Rica Plant 1 Orthoptera, species of Costa Rica Cutting 1 Pentatomidae, species of Honduras Cutting 1 Phlaeothripidae, species of Honduras Cutting, Plant 3 Phoma sp . Costa Rica Cutting 2 Phyllophaga sp. Honduras Cutting, Plant 2 Phyllosticta sp . Costa Rica Plant 1 Phyllosticta yuccae Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Cutting, Plant 51 Prodoxus sp . Mexico Cutting, Stem 4 Scolytidae, species of Guatemala Stem 1 Scythrididae, species of Mexico Cutting 1 Tettigoniidae, species of Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras Cutting, Plant, Stem 8Ver
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**Appendix B. Plant species related to families of hosts of Dysmicoccus neobrevipes**  **listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service considered as endangered or threatened.**  AGAVACEAE Agave arizonica Nolina brittoniana ANNONACEAE Asimina tetramera ANACARDIACEAE Deeringothamnus rugelii Rhus michauxii APOCYNACEAE Amsonia kearneyana Cycladenia jonesii Pteralyxia kauaiensis CUCURBITACEAE Cucurbita okeechobeensis ssp. okeechobeensis LILIACEAE Allium munzii Brodiaea filifolia Brodiaea pallida Calochortus tiburonensis Chlorogalum purpureum Erythronium propullans Fritillaria gentneri Harperocallis flava Helonias bullata Lilium occidentale Lilium pardalinum

. Trillium persistens Trillium reliquum ORQUIDIACEAE Isotria medeoloides Spiranthes parksi i Spiranthes delitescens Platanthera praeclara Platanthera leucopha ea Piperia yadonii POLYGONACEAE Chorizanthe howelliiVer
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Chorizanthe orcuttiana Chorizanthe pungens var. hartwegiana Chorizanthe pungens var. pungens Chorizanthe robusta (incl. vars. robusta and hartwegii) Chorizanthe valida Dodecahema leptoceras Eriogonum apricum (incl. var. prostratum ) Eriogonum gypsophilum Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum Eriogonum longifolium var. gnaphalifolium Eriogonum ovalifolium var. vineum Eriogonum ovalifolium var. williamsiae Eriogonum pelinophilum Oxytheca parishii var. goodmaniana Polygonella basiramia Polygonella myriophylla Polygonum hickmanii STERCULIACEAE Ayenia limitaris Fremontodendron Fremontodendron californicum ssp. decumbens Fremontodendron mexicanum VERBENACEAE Nesogenes rotensis Verbena californica