Pest List for the Importation of Fresh Fruit of Pitaya Fruit, 

Hylocereus spp. and several other genera and species, from Mexico 

into the Continental United States 

September 15, 2010 

Rev. 01 

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 List for Pitaya from Mexico 

Rev. Original September 15, 2010 2 

1. Introduction 

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

United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant 

Protection and Quarantine, Center for Plant Health Science and Technology. Our purpose in 

creating this pest list was to examine pest risks associated with the importation of fresh pitaya 

fruit (Hylocereus spp. and several other genera and species) from Mexico into the continental 

United States. This pest list is commodity-based or “pathway-initiated” because pitaya fruit are a 

potential pathway for the introduction of plant pests. This pest list is based on a previous pest 

risk assessment (PPQ, 2002). 

2. Pest list 

This pest list (Table 1) includes pests reported on pitayas (in any country) and present in Mexico 

(on any host). We identified the presence or absence of these pests in the United States, the 

quarantine status of the pest with respect to the United States, the generally affected plant part or 

parts, if the pest is likely to follow the pathway and enter the United States on commercially 

exported pitayas, and pertinent citations for either the distribution or the biology of the pest. We 

shaded quarantine pests considered likely to follow the pathway with a gray background (Table 

1), and summarized these pests in a separate table (Table 2). Quarantine pests not included can 

be detrimental to U.S. agriculture or ecosystems, but were not subjected to further analysis for a 

variety of reasons. For example, they were associated mainly with plant parts other than the 

commodity; may be associated with the commodity, but would not reasonably remain with the 

commodity during harvest and packing; or have been intercepted as biological contaminants of 

this commodity during U.S. agricultural port of entry inspection, but would not be present in 

commercial shipments. 

In this pest list, for the commodity to be imported, we covered the genera Acanthocereus, 

Cereus, Echinocereus, Hylocereus, Pachycereus, and Stenocereus because the terms “pitaya” 

and “pitahaya” commonly refer to a number of taxonomically related genera and species (Jacobs, 

1999; Mizrahi et al., 1997; Popenoe, 1939) that have strong phytosanitary resemblance (similar 

pests, similar production systems). We identified the pests associated with “pitahaya”, 

“pitajaya”, “pitajuia”, “pitalla” or “pithaya” and any hybrids among these plants (Mejia et al., 

2002; Mizrahi and Nerd, 1999; Raveh et al., 1993; Tel-Zur et al., 2001; Tel-Zur et al., 1999; 

Weiss et al., 1995). We use the term “pitaya” here to refer to all these botanically related cacti 

that produce edible fruit except for species of Opuntia. 
Pest List for Pitaya from Mexico 

Rev. Original September 15, 2010 2 

Table 1. Pests associated with Hylocereus1 spp. (in any country) and present in Mexico (on any host)

Pest Mexico 

distribution

United States 

distribution2

Reported on 

pitaya

Quarantine pestPlant part(s) 

association3

Follow 

pathway

ARTHROPODA 

Acari: Tetranychidae 

Tetranychus desertorum 

Banks

CABI, 2006 Bolland et al., 

1998

Bolland et 

al., 1998

No N/A N/A

Coleoptera: Cantharidae

Apisoma sp. .4 Romero 1994 Romero, 

1994

Yes S (Romero, 

1994)

No

Coleoptera: Cerambycidae

Stenygra histria 

(Serville) [= S. histrio] 

Blackwelder, 

1985; Romero 

1994

Romero, 

1994

Yes S (Romero, 

1994)

No

Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae

Calligrapha pantherina 

Stal.

Romero, 1994 Romero, 

1994

Yes I S (Romero, 

1994)

No

Diabrotica balteata 

(Leconte)

Blackwelder, 

1982; Romero 

1994

CABI, 2006 Romero, 

1994

No N/A N/A

Ogdoecosta biannularis 

(Boheman)

Blackwelder, 

1982; PestID, 

2010

PestID, 2010 Yes F (PestID, 

2010)

No5

Systena sp.4 Blackwelder, 

1982; PestID, 

2010

PestID, 2010 Yes F (PestID, 

2010)

Yes

Coleoptera: Coccinellidae

Cycloneda sanguinea L. Arnett, 2000; 

Blackwelder, 

1982; Romero, 

1994

Blackwelder, 

1982; CABI, 

2006

Romero, 

1994

No N/A N/A

 

1

 Genera of “pitaya” or “pitahaya” searched throughout literature includes: Acanthocereus, Cereus, Echinocereus, 

Hylocereus, Pachycereus, and Stenocereus spp. 

2

 FL = Florida, HI = Hawaii, PR = Puerto Rico, TX = Texas, VI = US Virgin Islands 

3

 F = Fruit, I = Inflorescence, L = Leaves, R = Roots; S = Stems; Sd = Seeds. In this document, “stem” refers to the vine-like, 

triangular, fleshy, jointed, branched stems, which may reach 20 ft (6.1 m) long. 4

 Pests at the genus level or higher taxonomic order are not analyzed due to the lack of precise information. The lack of 

biological information on any given organism should not be equated with low risk, since vague taxonomic identifications 

can hide the occurrence of known or unknown quarantine pests. If the pests identified in this risk assessment at a genus, 

family, or order level are intercepted on pitaya from Mexico in the future, their species specific determination should 

follow. Quarantine action can be taken where appropriate and a re-evaluation of their risk may be necessary. 5 Ogdoecosta biannularis are highly mobile pests, and therefore are highly unlikely to remain with the commodity during 

harvest and processing. 
Pest List for Pitaya from Mexico 

Rev. Original September 15, 2010 3 

Pest Mexico 

distribution

United States 

distribution2

Reported on 

pitaya

Quarantine pestPlant part(s) 

association3

Follow 

pathway

Epilachna borealis (F.) 

[= E. tredecimnotata 

(Latreille)] 

Arnett, 2000; 

Blackwelder, 

1982; Romero, 

1994

Blackwelder, 

1982

Romero, 

1994

No N/A N/A

Coleoptera: Curculionidae

Cactophagus fahraei 

(Gyllenhal) [=C. 

striatoforatus = C. 

fahraei striatoforatus 

= Metamasius fahraei 

striatoforatus]

Blackwelder, 

1982; Romero, 

1994

Romero, 

1994

Yes S (Romero, 

1994)

No

Cactophagus spinolae 

(Gyllenhal) [= C. 

rubroniger Fisher]

Blackwelder, 

1982

Romero, 

1994

Yes S (Romero, 

1994)

No 

Cactophagus sp.4 Blackwelder, 

1982

Blackwelder, 

1982

Romero, 

1994

Yes S (Romero, 

1994)

No

Coleoptera: Lampyridae

Photinus scintillans 

(Say) 

Canto, 1993 Canto, 1993 Yes I F (Canto, 

1993)

Yes 

Coleoptera: Scarabaediae

Cotinis mutabilis (Gory) Arnett, 2000; 

Barbeau, 1993; 

Blackwelder, 

1982; Morton, 

1997

Arnett, 2000 Maes, 2004; 

Romero, 

1994

No N/A N/A

Cyclocephala sp.4 Blackwelder, 

1982; CastilloMartinez et al., 

1996

Blackwelder, 

1982

Castillo 

Martínez et 

al., 1996

Yes I F (Castillo 

Martínez et 

al., 1996)

No6

Euphoria limatula 

(Janson) 

Blackwelder, 

1982; Morton, 

1997; Romero, 

1994

Romero, 

1994

Yes I F (Romero, 

1994)

No7

Diptera: Drosophilidae

Drosophila sp.4 Heed & 

Mangan, 1986

Heed & 

Mangan, 1986

Heed & 

Mangan, 

1986

No N/A N/A

Diptera: Otitidae 

Euxesta major (Van der 

Wulp)

Romero, 1994 Romero, 

1994

Yes I (Romero, 

1994)

No

 

6

 Adults of the scarab beetle Cyclocephala sp. are large and mobile, making it unlikely that this pest would stay with fresh 

pitaya fruit through picking, processing, and shipping. 7

 Adults of the scarab beetle Euphnoria limatula are large and mobile, making it unlikely that this pest would stay with fresh 

pitaya fruit through picking, processing, and shipping. 
Pest List for Pitaya from Mexico 

Rev. Original September 15, 2010 4 

Pest Mexico 

distribution

United States 

distribution2

Reported on 

pitaya

Quarantine pestPlant part(s) 

association3

Follow 

pathway

Diptera: Tephritidae 

Anastrepha fraterculus 

Wiedemann

CABI, 2006 Patiño, 2002 Yes I F (Canto et 

al., 1993; 

Patiño, 2002)

Yes

Anastrepha ludens 

(Loew)

CABI, 2006 Norrbom, 

n.d.

Yes F (Canto et al., 

1993; 

Norrbom, 

n.d.)

Yes

Anastrepha sp.4 White and 

Elson-Harris, 

1992; PestID, 

2010

Canto, 1993; 

PestID, 2010

Yes F (Canto, 

1993; PestID, 

2010)

Yes

Ceratitis capitata

(Wiedemann)

MX8 (Chiapas 

only; APHIS, 

2002) 

PestID, 2010 F (APHIS, 

2002) 

Yes 

Hemiptera: Aphididae 

Aphis gossypii Glover CABI, 2006 CABI, 2006; 

Smith & 

Cermeli, 1979

PestID, 2010 No N/A N/A

Hemiptera: Coreidae 

Leptoglossus zonatus 

(Dallas) [= Anisoscelis 

zonatus]

Barbeau, 1993; 

Morton, 1997; 

Romero, 1994

Buss et al., 

2005

Barbeau, 

1990; 

Romero, 

1994

No N/A N/A

Leptoglossus sp.4 CastilloMartinez et al., 

1996

Buss et al., 

2005

CastilloMartinez et 

al., 1996

No N/A N/A

Narnia femorata Stal. De Lestang 

and Miller, 

2009

De Lestang and 

Miller, 2009

Essig, 1926 No N/A N/A

Veneza phyllopus (L.) [= 

Leptoglossus 

phyllopus]

Canto, 1993 CABI, 2006 Canto, 1993 No N/A N/A

Hemiptera: Diaspididae

Acutaspis albopicta

(Cockerell)

PestID, 2010 PestID, 2010 Yes9 F (PestID, 

2010)

Yes

Diaspis boisduvalii 

Signoret

Ben-Dov et al., 

2006

Ben-Dov et al., 

2006

Ben-Dov et 

al., 2006

No N/A N/A 

Diaspis echinocacti 

(Bouché)

Ben-Dov et al., 

2006

Ben-Dov et al., 

2006

Ben-Dov et 

al., 2006

No N/A N/A 

 

8 Ceratitis capitata is listed because occasional incursions of Medfly occur in the Southern state of Chiapas from Guatemala 

(APHIS, 2002). 9

 While Acutaspis albopicta is a quarantine pest in the United States, no action is taken on this scale when it is intercepted on 

fruit or vegetables for consumption (Cavey, 2007). Therefore, we did not list it here. 
Pest List for Pitaya from Mexico 

Rev. Original September 15, 2010 5 

Pest Mexico 

distribution

United States 

distribution2

Reported on 

pitaya

Quarantine pestPlant part(s) 

association3

Follow 

pathway

Lopholeucaspis 

cockerelli (Grandpré 

& Charmoy)

Ben-Dov et al., 

2006

Ben-Dov et al., 

2006

Ben-Dov et 

al., 2006

No N/A N/A 

Opuntiaspis philococcus 

(Cockerell)

PestID, 2010 PestID, 2010 Yes10 F S (PestID, 

2010)

Yes

Quadraspidiotus sp. CastilloMartinez et al., 

1996

CastilloMartinez et 

al., 1996

Yes11 F S (CastilloMartinez et 

al., 1996)

Yes

Hemiptera: Eriococcidae

Acanthococcus 

coccineus (Cockerell)

[=Eriococcus 

coccineus]

Ben-Dov et al., 

2006

Ben-Dov et al., 

2006

Ben-Dov et 

al., 2006

No N/A N/A 

Hemiptera: Membracidae

Vanduzea sp.4 CastilloMartinez et al., 

1996

CastilloMartinez et 

al., 1996

Yes S (CastilloMartinez et 

al., 1996)

No

Hemiptera: Pentatomidae

Chlorochroa sp.4 CastilloMartinez et al., 

1996

CastilloMartinez et 

al., 1996

Yes F S (CastilloMartinez et 

al., 1996)

Yes

Euschistus servus (Say) CastilloMartinez et al., 

1996

(CastilloMartinez et 

al., 1996)

Yes F S (CastilloMartinez et 

al., 1996)

Yes

Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae

Dysmicoccus 

neobrevipes 

(Beardsley)

PestID, 2010; 

Williams and 

Granara de 

Willink, 1992

FL HI PR VI 

(Miller and 

Miller, 2002; 

Williams & 

Granara de 

Willink, 1992)

PestID, 2010 Yes12 F (PestID, 

2010)

Yes

Ferrisia virgata 

(Cockerell)

CABI, 2006 CABI, 2006 PestID, 2010 No N/A N/A

Phenacoccus 

madeirensis Green

CABI, 2006 CABI, 2006 Ben-Dov et 

al., 2006

No N/A N/A

Planococcus citri (Risso) CABI, 2006 CABI, 2006 PestID, 2010 No N/A N/A

Planococcus minor 

(Maskell)

PestID, 2010; 

Williams & 

Granara de 

Willink, 1992

VI (Williams & 

Granara de 

Willink, 1992)

PestID, 2010 Yes F (PestID, 

2010)

Yes

 

10 While Opuntiaspis philococcus is a quarantine pest in the United States, no action is taken on this scale when it is 

intercepted on fruit or vegetables for consumption (Cavey, 2007). Thus, we did not list it in Table 2. 11 While Quadraspidiotus sp. is a quarantine pest in the United States, no action is taken on this scale when it is intercepted 

on fruit or vegetables for consumption (Cavey, 2007). 12 Dysmicoccus neobrevipes is a quarantine significant species with limited distribution in the United States (NIS, 2009).
Pest List for Pitaya from Mexico 

Rev. Original September 15, 2010 6 

Pest Mexico 

distribution

United States 

distribution2

Reported on 

pitaya

Quarantine pestPlant part(s) 

association3

Follow 

pathway

Planococcus sp.4 PestID, 2010 PestID, 2010 Yes F (PestID, 

2010)

Yes

Pseudococcus 

jackbeardsleyi Gimpel 

& Miller

CABI, 2006 FL HI TX 

(CABI, 2006)

PestID, 2010 No N/A N/A

Pseudococcus viburni 

(Signoret)

Ben-Dov et al., 

2006

Ben-Dov et al., 

2006

Ben-Dov et 

al., 2006

No N/A N/A

Puto sp.4 PestID, 2010 PestID, 2010 Yes F S (PestID, 

2010)

Yes

Spilococcus mamillariae 

(Bouché)

Ben-Dov et al., 

2006

Ben-Dov et al., 

2006

Ben-Dov et 

al., 2006

No N/A N/A

Hemiptera: Reduviidae

Apiomerus sp.4 Castillo 

Martínez et al., 

1996

Castillo 

Martínez et 

al., 1996; 

Romero, 

1994

No N/A N/A

Hymenoptera: Apidae 

Melipona sp.4 CastilloMartinez et al., 

1996

CastilloMartinez et 

al., 1996

Yes F S (CastilloMartinez et 

al., 1996)

Yes

Hymenoptera: Formicidae

Atta cephalotes (L.) CABI, 2006 Castillo 

Martínez et 

al., 1996; 

Romero, 

1994

Yes F S (Castillo 

Martínez et 

al., 1996; 

Romero, 

1994)

No13

Atta sp.4 Barbeau, 1993; 

CastilloMartinez et al., 

1996; Morton, 

1997

Castillo 

Martínez et 

al., 1996

Yes F S (Castillo 

Martínez et 

al., 1996)

No14

Ectatomma ruidum 

(Roger) 

Romero, 1994 Romero, 

1994

No15 N/A N/A 

Solenopsis geminata 

Fabricius 

Hill, 1983; 

Morton, 1997

CABI, 2006 Castillo 

Martínez et 

al., 1996

No N/A N/A

 

13 Adults of the leaf-cutting ant Atta cephalotes are large and mobile, making it unlikely that this pest would stay with fresh 

pitaya fruit through picking, processing, and shipping. Also, sterile insect stages (ant workers) can be transported in a 

shipment but are unable to establish viable populations upon entry (Borror et al., 1989). 14 Adults of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sp. are large and mobile, making it unlikely that this pest would stay with fresh pitaya 

fruit through picking, processing, and shipping. Also, sterile insect stages (ant workers) can be transported in a shipment 

but are unable to establish viable populations upon entry (Borror et al., 1989). 15 The genus Ectatomma is listed as non-reportable in the PestID database, and therefore is not considered a quarantine pest 

(2010). 
Pest List for Pitaya from Mexico 

Rev. Original September 15, 2010 7 

Pest Mexico 

distribution

United States 

distribution2

Reported on 

pitaya

Quarantine pestPlant part(s) 

association3

Follow 

pathway

Solenopsis sp.4 Hill, 1983; 

Morton, 1997

CABI, 2006 Castillo 

Martínez et 

al., 1996; 

Romero, 

1994

Yes F (CABI, 

2006; 

Romero, 

1994) S 

(Castillo 

Martínez et 

al., 1996)

No16

Lepidoptera: Arctiidae

Estigmene acrea Drury 

[= E. ocrea]

Arnett, 2000; 

CastilloMartinez et al., 

1996; CABI, 

2006

Capinera, 2001 Castillo 

Martínez et 

al., 1996

No N/A N/A

Lepidoptera: Pyralidae

Maracayia chlorisalis 

Walker

SDR, 2007 SDR, 2007 Yes F S (SDR, 

2007) 

Yes 

Ozamia sp.4 PestID, 2010 PestID, 2010 Yes F (PestID, 

2010)

Yes

Lepidoptera: Tortricidae

Ecdytolopha sp.4 PestID, 2010 PestID, 2010 Yes F (PestID, 

2010)

Yes

Platynota sp.4 PestID, 2010 PestID, 2010 Yes F (PestID, 

2010)

Yes

VIRUS 

Cactus Virus X Bellec et al., 

2006

Bellec et al., 

2006

Bellec et al., 

2006

No N/A N/A

BACTERIA 

Erwinia carotovora (L. 

R. Jones) Holland 

(Entero-bacteriaceae)

Castillo 

Martínez et al., 

1996

CABI, 2006 Castillo 

Martínez et 

al., 1996

No N/A N/A

Soft Rot Isolate 117 Botin et al., 

2003 

Botin et al., 

2003 

Yes S F (Botin et 

al., 2003)

Yes 

Soft Rot Isolate 218 Botin et al., 

2003 

Botin et al., 

2003 

Yes S F (Botin et 

al., 2003)

Yes 

 

16 Adult ants, such as Solenopsis sp., are large and mobile, making it unlikely that this pest would stay with fresh pitaya fruit 

through picking, processing, and shipping. Also, sterile insect stages (ant workers) can be transported in a shipment but are 

unable to establish viable populations upon entry (Borror et al., 1989). 

17 The study by Botin et al (2003) was able to demonstrate that the soft rot attributed to Erwinia carotavora was caused by 

another unidentified species of bacteria. Although it is not possible to refute the previous Erwinia identification, the study 

does cast doubt upon those previous identifications. Since the disease causing bacteria is unidentified, we have no way to 

ascertain its presence or absence in the United States; however, we do not analyze the disease further because we the pathogen 

cannot be identified.
Pest List for Pitaya from Mexico 

Rev. Original September 15, 2010 8 

Pest Mexico 

distribution

United States 

distribution2

Reported on 

pitaya

Quarantine pestPlant part(s) 

association3

Follow 

pathway

FUNGI and CHROMISTANS18

Ascochyta opuntiae 

(Scalia) 

(Dothideomycetes:

Pleosporales)

PestID, 2010 PestID, 2010 Yes L(PestID, 

2010) 

No

Botryosphaeria dothidea 

(Moug:FR) CES. And 

De Not (Anamorph: 

Fusicoccum sp.) 

(Dothideomycetes, 

Botryosphaeriales)

Botin et al., 

2004

CABI, 2006 Botin et al., 

2004

No N/A N/A

Botryotinia fuckeliana

(de Bary) Whetzel 

(Anamorph: Botrytis 

cinerea Pers.:Fr.) 

(Ascomycetes : 

Helotiales)

Farr et al., 

2007

Farr et al., 2007 Farr et al., 

2007

No N/A N/A

Dothiorella sp. = 

Dothiorela sp. 

(Ascomycetes : 

Dothideales)

Castillo 

Martínez et al., 

1996

Castillo 

Martínez et 

al., 1996

Yes S F (Castillo 

Martínez et 

al., 1996)

Yes

Gibberella fujikuroi 

(Sawada) S. Ito

Anamorph: Fusarium 

moniliforme Sheldon 

(Ascomycetes: 

Hypocreales)

CABI, 2006 CABI, 2006 CABI, 2006 No N/A N/A

Fusarium oxysporum 

(Schlecht ex Fries) 

(Ascomycetes: 

Hypocreales)

Farr et al., 

2007 

CABI, 2006; 

Farr et al., 2007

Castillo 

Martínez et 

al., 1996

No N/A N/A

Gloeosporium sp.4

(Ascomycetes: 

Helotiales)

VillalobosCalderón and 

Cárdenas-Díaz, 

2002

VillalobosCalderón and 

CárdenasDíaz, 2002

Yes S (VillalobosCalderón and 

CárdenasDíaz, 2002)

No

Glomerella cingulata 

(Stoneman) Spaulding 

& Schrenk Anamorph: 

Colletotrichum 

gloeosporiodes Penz. 

& Sacc. 

(Ascomycetes: 

Incertae sedis)

CABI, 2006, 

Castillo 

Martínez et al., 

1996

CABI, 2006 CABI, 2006; 

Farr et al., 

2007

No N/A N/A

 

18 Taxonomy according to Farr et al., 2007. 
Pest List for Pitaya from Mexico 

Rev. Original September 15, 2010 9 

Pest Mexico 

distribution

United States 

distribution2

Reported on 

pitaya

Quarantine pestPlant part(s) 

association3

Follow 

pathway

Lasiodiplodia 

theobromae (Pat.) 

Griffon & Maubl. = 

Botryodiplodia 

theobromae

(Ascomycetes: 

Dothideales)

CABI, 2006 CABI, 2006 CABI, 2006; 

VillalobosCalderón and 

CárdenasDíaz, 2002

No N/A N/A

Pestalotiopsis sp.4

(Ascomycetes: 

Xylariales)

VillalobosCalderón and 

Cárdenas-Díaz, 

2002

VillalobosCalderón and 

CárdenasDíaz, 2002

Yes S (VillalobosCalderón and 

CárdenasDíaz, 2002

No

Phomopsis sp.4

(Ascomycetes)

PestID, 2010 PestID, 2010 Yes F (PestID, 

2010)

Yes

Placoasterella sp. 

(Dothideomycetes)

PestID, 2010 PestID. 2010 Yes S (PestID, 

2010)

Yes 

Pythium sp.4

(Oomycetes)

Farr et al., 

2007

Starmer et 

al., 1990

Yes F I S (Starmer 

et al., 1990)

Yes

Rhizoctonia sp.4

(Basidiomycetes)

Farr et al., 

2007

Farr et al., 2007 Farr et al., 

2007

Yes R ,S (Farr et 

al., 2007)

Yes

Thanatephorus 

cucumeris (Frank) 

Donk Anamorph: 

Rhizoctonia solani

(Basidiomycetes: 

Ceratobasidiales)

CABI, 2006 CABI, 2006; 

Farr et al., 2007

N/A N/A No

MOLLUSCS 

Milax sp.19

(Stylommatophora: 

Limacidae)

CastilloMartinez et al., 

1996, SDR, 

2006

CastilloMartinez et 

al., 1996

Yes F (SDR, 

2006) S 

(CastilloMartinez et 

al., 1996)

Yes 

NEMATODA 

Belonolaimidae 

Tylenchorhynchus 

annulatus (Cassidy) 

Golden 

CABI, 2006 CABI, 2006 CABI, 2006 No N/A N/A

Hoplolaimidae 

Helicotylenchus 

dihystera (Cobb, ) 

Sher, 

CABI, 2006 CABI, 2006 CABI, 2006 No N/A N/A

 

19 All members of the genus Milax, except M. gagates, are actionable pests in PestID (PestID, 2010). Milax gagates is the 

only member of the Milax genus found in the United States (Pilsbry, 1948) and it is not found in Mexico (Pilsbry, 1948). 

Therefore, any Milax sp. intercepted from or found in Mexico is probably an actionable pest. 
Pest List for Pitaya from Mexico 

Rev. Original September 15, 2010 10 

Pest Mexico 

distribution

United States 

distribution2

Reported on 

pitaya

Quarantine pestPlant part(s) 

association3

Follow 

pathway

Rotylenchulus reniformis 

Linford & Oliveira

CABI, 2006 Coile & Dixon, 

1999; CABI, 

2006

CABI, 2006 No N/A N/A

Heteroderidae 

Meloidogyne incognita 

(Kofoid & White,) 

Chitwood 

CABI, 2006 CABI, 2006 CABI, 2006 No N/A N/A

3. Quarantine pests following the pathway 

The following quarantine pests are likely to follow the pathway when importing pitayas from 

Mexico (Table 2). 

Table 2. Summary of quarantine pests likely to follow the pathway of fresh pitayas imported 

from Mexico into the United States 

Pest Taxonomy

Anastrepha fraterculus Diptera: Tephritidae

Anastrepha ludens Diptera: Tephritidae

Ceratitis capitata Diptera:Tephritidae

Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae

Euschistus servus Hemiptera: Pentatomidae

Maracayia chlorisalis Lepidoptera: Pyralidae

Milax sp. Stylommatophora: Limacidae

Planococcus minor Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae

4. Literature Cited 

APHIS. 2002. La Mosca del Mediterraneo (Moscamed). United States Department of Agriculture, Animal 

and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). 2 pp. 

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/plant_health/content/printable_version/fs_phmed_sp.pdf 

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5. Preparers 

Christie Bertone, Entomologista 

John Rogers, Plant Pathologista

a

 Plant Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Laboratory, Center for Plant Health Science and 

Technology