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United States Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Plant Protection and Quarantine

Importation of Fresh Fruit of Litchi (Litchi chinensis), 

Longan (Dimocarpus longan), and Rambutan 

(Nephelium lappaceum) from Philippines into the 

continental United States

Risk Management Document

December 13, 2011

Plant Health Programs (PHP)

Regulations, Permits & Manuals 

Contact Person: Claudia.Ferguson@aphis.usda.gov
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A. Introduction

The National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of Philippines requested permission to 

export fresh fruit of litchi, (Litchi chinensis Sonn.), longan, (Dimocarpus longan Lour.), and 

rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) into the continental United States. Fresh fruit of litchi, 

longan and rambutan have not been imported from Philippines before. The United States 

Department of Agriculture (USDA) prepared a pest risk assessment (PRA) that examined 

plant pest risks associated with the importation of fresh fruit of litchi, longan and rambutan 

from eight countries that together comprise the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 

(ASEAN) (USDA, 2011). These countries are: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, 

Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

The pest risk assessment titled Importation of Fresh Fruit of Litchi (Litchi chinensis), 

Longan (Dimocarpus longan), and Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) into the Continental 

United States from ASEAN Countries (USDA, 2011), identified the following pests of 

quarantine concern on litchi, longan and rambutan as occurring in the Philippines.

There are 12 arthropods listed as quarantine pests on Litchi from Philippines. These are:

Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Tephritidae: Diptera)

Ceroplastes rubens Maskell (Coccidae: Hemiptera)

Coccus viridis (Green) (Coccidae: Hemiptera)

Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Beardsley (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Paracoccus interceptus Lit (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Planococcus lilacinus (Cockerell) (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Planococcus litchi Cox (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Planococcus minor (Maskell) (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Pseudococcus cryptus Hempel (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Conogethes punctiferalis (Guenée) (Pyralidae: Lepidoptera)

Cryptophlebia ombrodelta (Lower) (Totricidae; Lepidoptera)

There are 16 arthropods listed as quarantine pests on Longan from Philippines. These are:

Ceroplastes rubens Maskell (Coccidae: Hemiptera)

Coccus viridis (Green) (Coccidae: Hemiptera)

Taiwansaissetia formicarii (Green) (Coccidae: Hemiptera)

Kerria greeni (Chamberlin) (Kerridae: Hemiptera)

Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Beardsley (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Exallomochlus hispidus (Morrison) (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Exallmochlus philippinensis Williams(Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Paracoccus interceptus Lit (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Planococcus lilacinus (Cockerell) (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Planococcus litchi Cox (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)
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Planococcus minor (Maskell) (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Pseudococcus cryptus Hempel (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Conogethes punctiferalis (Guenée) (Pyralidae: Lepidoptera)

Cryptophlebia ombrodelta (Lower) (Totricidae; Lepidoptera)

There are 19 arthropods and one pathogen (fungus, Ascomycetes) listed as quarantine pests 

on Rambutan from Philippines. These are:

Ceroplastes rubens Maskell (Coccidae: Hemiptera)

Coccus viridis (Green) (Coccidae: Hemiptera)

Crisicoccus theobromae Williams & Watson (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Beardsley (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Exallomochlus hispidus (Morrison) (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Exallmochlus philippinensis Williams(Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Maconellicoccus multipori (Takahashi) (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Paracoccus interceptus Lit (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Planococcus lilacinus (Cockerell) (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Planococcus litchi Cox (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Planococcus minor (Maskell) (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Pseudococcus cryptus Hempel (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Rastrococcus jabadiu Williams (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Rastrococcus tropicasiaticus Williams (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera)

Conopomorpha cramerella Snellen (Gracillaridae: Lepidoptera)

Conogethes punctiferalis (Guenée) (Pyralidae: Lepidoptera)

Cryptophlebia ombrodelta (Lower) (Totricidae; Lepidoptera)

Oidium nephelii Hadiw. (Erisiphales: Ascomycetes)

The Philippines has proposed use of an APHIS approved irradiation treatment to mitigate 

risks from the arthropod pests.

This risk management document outlines the phytosanitary measures that APHIS will 

require, including irradiation, if the proposed importations of fresh fruit of litchi, longan and 

rambutan from Philippines are approved, and documents the evidence used by APHIS to 

conclude that these measures will effectively prevent the introduction of quarantine pests. 
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B. Risk Management Measures

APHIS proposes to allow the importation of fresh fruit of litchi, longan and rambutan from

Philippines into the continental United States under the following conditions: 

1- The fresh fruit of litchi, longan and rambutan must be irradiated with a minimum 

absorbed dose of 400 Gy and follow requirements of 7 CFR parts 305.9 and 319.56.

2- Prior to irradiation the fresh fruit of litchi, longan and rambutan must undergo 

packinghouse procedures, such as culling, to eliminate surface pests and damaged fruits.

3- Prior to departure from the Philippines, each rambutan consignment must be inspected 

by the NPPO using a sampling procedure mutually agreed upon by APHIS and the 

Philippines NPPO. A representative sample of fruit must be drawn from each lot, 

inspected and found free from the fungus Oidium nephelii.

4- Prior to shipment, each consignment must be inspected jointly by APHIS and the NPPO 

of Philippines and be accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) issued by the 

Philippines NPPO stating that the consignment received irradiation treatment with 400 Gy

as the minimum absorbed dose. For rambutan, the PC must also include an Additional 

Declaration (AD) stating that the consignment was inspected and found free from Oidium 

nephelii.

5- Consignments of fresh fruit of litchi, longan and rambutan are subject to inspection at 

the United States ports of entry.

6- Fresh fruit of litchi, longan, and rambutan from Philippines must be commercially 

produced and be part of a commercial consignment as defined in Section 319.56-2. 

C. Historical Performance of Importing Irradiated Fruits

Current regulations 7 CFR 305.9 allow the use of irradiation to treat fruit for importation into 

the United States. Beginning April 2007, India has shipped mangoes to the United States 

irradiated with a minimum absorbed dose of 400 Gy for insect pests and with a systems 

approach for fungal pathogens. To date, over 130 irradiated mango consignments have been 

received from India and no pests have been reported. Also, from over 100 consignments of 

longans, mangoes, mangosteens, and rambutans irradiated with 400 Gy dose as the minimum 

absorbed dose in Thailand and imported into the United States during 2007 and 2008, no 

pests of quarantine significance have been reported (USDA, 2008).
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APHIS regulations 7 CFR 305.9 allows interstate movement of regulated articles as 

different fruits and vegetables from Hawaii treated with irradiation at a minimum absorbed 

dose of 150 Gy to 400 Gy for fruit flies and other quarantine pests. No live pests of 

quarantine significance have been intercepted in irradiated Hawaiian fruits or vegetables 

shipped to the mainland United States (Uyeda, 2005). In addition, consignments of 

Australian mangoes irradiated with 150 Gy dose and allowed into New Zealand since 2004 

resulted in no pests of concern being intercepted (Edwards, 2005).

D. Evidence for the Effective Removal of Pests of Concern from the Pathway

The pests of concern likely to follow the pathway of fresh fruit of litchi, longan and rambutan 

from the Philippines consist mainly of arthropods with one disease organism being listed on 

rambutan. Irradiation of fruits and vegetables with a minimum absorbed dose of 400 Gy is 

an approved treatment by APHIS for mitigating risks from all insect pests except adults and 

pupae of the order Lepidoptera (USDA, 2006). There are three pests of the order 

Lepidoptera, Conopomorpha cramerella, Conogethes punctiferalis and Cryptophlebia 

ombrodelta that are listed as pests of quarantine concern. The larvae of these three pests 

cause fruits to drop off the trees early or create entry holes on fruits that are filled with frass,

which is easily noticed during inspections, and they also pupate outside the fruit. (CABI, 

2011). Irradiation with a minimum absorbed dose of 400 Gy is considered adequate to 

mitigate risks from all pests.

Powdery mildew caused by Oidium nephelii is the most serious disease of rambutan in the 

field. It is often found infecting the young, actively growing portions of the plant, although 

all stages of growth can be infected. The disease is found in Southeastern Asian countries 

such as Brunei, Thailand (Peregrine, 1982), Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Singapore 

(Farr et al., n.d.). Signs of infection typically occur on young fruit that are usually stunted, 

but all stages of growth can be infected. White powdery areas of mycelial growth can be 

seen with the naked eye on the fruit spinterns (the spiney, hair-like, protuberances on the 

pericarp) and on the skin between the spinterns (Ploetz et al., 1994). 

APHIS has determined that Oidium nephelii is a quarantine pest that follows the rambutan 

fruit import pathway (USDA, 2009). However, most infected fruit will likely be culled 

because trained harvesters, packinghouse personnel, and plant quarantine inspectors can 

easily detect the distinctive, conspicuous signs of this disease on fruits. Therefore, 

packinghouse measures such as culling of the diseased fruit coupled with predeparture 

inspections by the NPPO, and an additional declaration on a phytosanitary certificate stating 

the consignment to be free from the disease, and allowing only the commercially produced 

consignments are considered adequate to mitigate the pest risk.

As part of the United States requirements (7 CFR 305.9) governing the use of irradiation as a 

phytosanitary treatment, APHIS and the NPPO of the Philippines must jointly develop a

written agreement; e.g., an operational work plan (OWP). The agreement shall include 

details of activities including inspection of articles that the Philippines NPPO must perform 

before the treatment or departure. Inspection of the fruit and freedom from pests not targeted 
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by irradiation, as declared on the PC, will ensure that all pests of concern are removed from 

the pathway. The requirement for a PC ensures phytosanitary quality control and rigor by

requiring Philippines to conduct phytosanitary inspections. This effectively enforces the 

inspection the fruit receives. 

APHIS regulations on the use of irradiation require that the treatment be monitored where 

applied, and that the consignment be examined for pests of concern by APHIS and the NPPO 

of the Philippines prior to its shipment as part of preclearance activities. Although the 

400 Gy dose is effective for all pests as described above, pest monitoring in the field and 

inspections by the NPPO should ensure that the pest populations would not reach levels that 

might potentially overwhelm the effectiveness of the treatment.

E. Conclusion

The phytosanitary requirements described above include treatment of fresh fruit of litchi, 

longan and rambutan from Philippines with irradiation using a minimum absorbed dose of 

400 Gy and inspections for the pests of concern, including inspection of each rambutan 

consignment and determination that it is found free from the fungus Oidium nephelii.

APHIS concludes that, based on the evaluation of effectiveness of these mitigation measures 

directed against the quarantine pests, safeguards of 7 CFR 319.56 and the additional 

mitigations described in this risk management document will result in the effective removal 

from the pathways of the quarantine pests identified by the PRA for the importation of fresh 

fruit of litchi, longan and rambutan from Philippines.

F. Authors:

Devaiah A. Muruvanda, Ph.D. 

Senior Risk Manager - Entomology

José R. Hernández, Ph.D.

Senior Risk Manager - Plant Pathology
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G. Literature Cited:

CABI, 2011. Pest Datasheet. CAB International, Wallingford, U.K.

Edwards, G. 2005. Personal Communication from G. Edwards of NZ Department of 

Agriculture & Fisheries to Karen Ackerman of USDA, APHIS, PPQ, Phytosanitary Issues 

Management, Riverdale, MD.

Farr, D. F., Rossman, A. Y., Palm, M. E., and McCray, E. B. n.d. Fungal Databases, 

Systematic Botany & Mycology Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States 

Department of Agriculture. Last visit, Dec. 2010.

Peregrine, W. T. H., and A., K.B. 1982. Brunei: A first annotated list of plant diseases and 

associated organisms. Phytopathological Paper 27: 1-87.

Ploetz, R. C., Zentmyer, G. A., Nishijima, W. T., Rohrbach, K. G., and Ohr, H. D. 1994.

Compendium of Tropical Fruit Diseases. St. Paul, Minnesota, American Phytopathological 

Society.

USDA, 2011. Importation of Fresh Fruit of Litchi (Litchi chinensis), Longan (Dimocarpus 

longan), and Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) into the Continental United States from 

ASEAN Countries. USDA, APHIS, PPQ, Center for Plant Health Science and Technology. 

August 2011. 106 pp.

USDA, 2008. Pest Interception Data. USDA APHIS PPQ Plant Health Programs.

USDA. 2006. Treatments for Fruits and Vegetables. January 27, 2006 issue of Federal 

Register 71(18): 4451-4464

USDA. 2006. Treatments for Fruits and Vegetables. January 27, 2006 issue of Federal 

Register 71(18): 4451-4464

Uyeda, E. 2005. Personal communication from E. Uyeda, Port Director, US Department of 

Agriculture, USDA, APHIS, PPQ, Hilo, HI.