**United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service**  **Plant Protection and Quarantine**


# Importation of **Oncidium spp.**  **in growing media from Taiwan**  **into the United States**

**7 CFR 319 .37**  **Risk Management Document**

**September 2**  **8 , 20**  **1 2** 

**Plant Health Programs (PHP) Regulations, Permits and Manuals**  **( RPM** **)**1



### Introduction
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 7 CFR 319.37 , currentl y allows the importation of Oncidium spp. plants from Taiwan into the United States , but the ir importation in growing media is not a uthorized in 7 CFR 319 .37

- 8 (Plants in Growing Media)

. All plants in growing media imported into the United States must be approved by AP HI S and must comply with the regulations in 7 CFR 319.37

- 8 (CFR, 2011)

. The National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of Taiwan, the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ) , has requested the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHI S ) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to add Oncidium spp. from Taiwan to the approved plants in growing media in 7 CFR 319.37

- 8. In response to the request by Taiwan, and as required in 7 CFR 319.37

- 8(g) , APHI S conduct ed a pest risk assessment (PRA) , entitled “Pest Risk Analysis for the Importation of Oncidium Orchid Plants, Oncidium spp ., in Approved Growing Media from Taiwan into the United States ” (USDA, 20 1 2 )

. In the PRA, 1 4 quarantine pests were identified that may follow the pathway

on Oncidium plants in growing media from Taiwan (Table 1).
**Table 1. Quarantine pests likely to follow the pathway on**  **Oncidium spp. plants in growing**  **media from Taiwan Type**  **Taxonomy Pest**  Acari Arachnida: Tetranyc h idae Tetranychus kanzawai Kishida Insecta Lepidoptera: Arctiidae Amsacta lactinea Cramer

Lepidoptera: Noctuidae Spodoptera litura (F abricius ) Thy sanoptera : Thripidae Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood Thrips palmi Karny Mollusca Stylomatophora: Achatinidae Lissa chatina fulica ( Bowdich)

Stylomatophora: Agriliomacidae Deroceras laeve (Muller) Stylomatophora: Helicarionidae Parmarion martensi Simroth Petalochlamys vesta (Pfeiffer) Stylomatophora: Philomycidae Meghimatium bilineatus (Benson) Meghimatium pictum Stoliczka Stylomatophora: Veronicellidae Laevicaulis alte (Férussac) Bacteria Gammaproteobacteria:

Enterobacteriaceae Pectobacterium cypripedii (Hori) Brenner et al. Fungi Ascomycetes: Pleosporales Bipolaris zizaniae (Y. Nisik.) Shoemaker Source: USDA (201 2 ).2

Bipolaris zizaniae and Pectobacterium cypripedii w ere assigned a Medium pest risk potential and the remaining pests were assigned a High pest risk potential. Specific phy tosanitary measures may

be necessary

for pests with Medium pest risk potentials, and are strongl y recommended for pests with High pest risk potentials (USDA, 2000). As described in this Risk Management Document, APHI S evaluated 1 4 pests and determined that the requirements in 7 CFR 319.37

- 8 will be effective in m anaging the risk associated with these pests. APHI S will subsequently propose to add Oncidium spp. from Taiwan to the approved plants in 7 CFR 319.37

- 8(e). Below please find a discussio n of the risk management measures for Oncidium orchids in growing media from Taiwan. 

### Risk **m anagement measures** 
Oncidium orchids as plants in growing media imported into the United States from Taiwan must be e stablished in APHIS

- approved growing media and compl y with the requirements in 7 CFR 319.37

- 8 , the written agreement between APHIS and BAPHIQ , and all other requirements in 7 CFR 319 .37. 

### Discussion of risk management measures The requirements in 7 CFR 319.37

- 8 comprise a “sy stems approach” with a combination of measures aimed at reducing pest risk. The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) defines a “sy stems approach” as “ The integration of different risk management measures, at least two of which ac t independently , and which cumulatively achieve the appropriate level of protection against regulated pests ” (IPPC, 2010). Similarly , the Plant Protection Act of 2000 (SEC. 401. 7 U.S.C. 7701) defines a “s ys tems approach” as “...a defined set of phy tosanitary procedures, at least two of which have an independent effect in mitigating pest risk associated with the movement of commodities.” Sy stems approaches are employed b y an importing country to achieve an appropriate level of phy tosanitary protection as an alternative to the use of single measures when a single measure does not exist, or is not feasible or desirable. The combinations of measures comprising s ys tems approaches provide overlapping or sequential safeguards rather than depending on single risk management methods, such as fumigation or inspection alone ( FAO, 200 2 ; Podleckis, 2007 ).

Entry of Phalaenopsis orchids as plants in growing media from Taiwan is authorized in 7 CFR 319.37

- 8 and a written agreement between APHIS and BAPHIQ has been in place since 20043

(USDA, 2004). If approved in 7 CFR 319.37

- 8, a similar written agreement will be required for the importation of Oncidium orchids as plants in growing media from Taiwan. The sy stems approach described in 7 CFR 319.37

- 8 and th e existing agreement for Phalaenopsis plants in growing media from Taiwan contains several overlapping measures to manage a wide range of pest risks including :
 Plants are grown in compliance with a written agreement between the grower and the plant protection service of Taiwan;

 Inspection of mother stock ;
 Plants are established in an approved greenhouse;
 Greenhouses are construct ed to prevent the entry of pests and pathogens ;  S anitary

procedures adequate to exclude plant pests and diseases, including cleaning and disinfection of floors, benches and tools, and the application of control measures to protect against any injurious plant diseases, injurious insect pests, and other plant pests are emplo yed;
 All vents are covered with screening with openings no larger than 0.6 mm ;  Entry

way s are equipped with automatic closing doors (double or airlock doors are recommended);
 The greenhouse is free of sand, soil, weeds, plant pests and debris ;  All plants are grown on raised benches (at least 46 cm above the flo or) supported by legs ;  The growing media is unused and approved in accordance with existing APHI S policy on approved growing media (7 CFR 319. 37

- 8 ( e ) ( 1)) ;  Plants are watered onl y with rainwater that has been boiled or pasteurized, with clean well water , or with potable water ;  Plants are stored and packaged onl y in areas free of sand, soil, earth, weeds and plant p ests ; and
 Plants are rooted and grown in an active state of foliar growth for at least four consecutive months immediatel y prior to export in a greenhouse unit used solely for U.S. export plants.
Please see 7 CFR 319.37

- 8 for details. Table 2 summarizes the relation of these risk management measures to the 14 quarantine pests in Table 1.



### Conclusion

APHI S has evaluated the 1 4 quarantine pests that may follow the pathway

on Oncidium in growing media from Taiwan and has determined that the requirements in 7 CFR 319.37

- 8 will be effective in m anaging the risk associated with these pests.4



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Press. 630 pp. Williams, D. J., and G. W. Watson. 1988. The Scale Insects of the Tropical South Pacific Region: Part 1. The armoured scales (Diaspididae) . CAB International, Wallingford, Oxon, UK. 290 pp. Zhang , Zhi

- Qiang . 2003. Mites of Greenhouses: Identification, Biology and Control. CABI Publishing , Cambridge, MA . 256 pp.**Table 2. Discussion of pest risk management measures for quarantine pests that may follow the pathway on Oncidium**  **plants in growing** 

**media from Taiwan**
**Pests M**  **easures Reason**  **References** All * All mother stock must be inspected and found free from evidence o f pests and diseases by an APHIS inspector or foreign NPPO inspector no more than 60 days prior to the time the article is established in the greenhouse The use of clean mother stock is an essential component of ornamental plant production. This requirement may eliminate or reduce the initial introduction of pests and diseases into the plant production environment in the greenhouse. Jarvis, 1992; Metcalf and Metcalf, 1993; Agrios, 1997; Kahn and Mathur, 1999; Mizell and Short, 1999; Jones and Benson, 2001; BAPHIQ, 2002; USDA, 201 2

All * Phytosanitary inspections, oversight, written agreements 1 and administrative measures Improper production and handling practices are often the primary means by which pests are introduced and spread in the place of production . The phytosanitary inspections, oversight, written agreements and administrative measures included in 7 CFR 319.37

- 8 provide additional phytosanitary quality control and rigor over other measures, and reduce the possibilities of improper practices being e mployed. Phytosanitary inspections are widely recognized as an important part of a pest management program. Kahn and Mathur, 1999; Jones and Benson, 2001; USDA, 201 2

**Arthropods:**

Amsacta lactinea * Growing in screened, enclosed greenhouses 2 * Sanitation * Pest management plan, including monitoring and control * Use of clean growing media that have not been previously used and is safeguarded to prevent infestation 1 * Inspection Growing in screened, enclosed greenhouses, sanitation and the use of clean, approved growing media that have not been used previously reduce the likelihood of introducing the pest into the greenhouse. A pest management plan must be implemented and should include monitoring, inspections for signs of infestation, and pest control as appropriate

. Damage caused by early instars can be detected as chlorophyll

- free, whitish leaves, with the network of veins intact. Heavy foliar damage indicates the presence of late

instar larvae, which are reddish brown with tufts of long hair, and whic h can be readily detected against the green background of the plants. Minute pellets of larval excreta Santacroce, 1991 ; Metcalf and Metcalf, 1993; CABI, 2012 ; USDA, 201 210

**Pests M**  **easures Reason**  **References** and/or early instars feeding in large numbers on the undersurface of leaves are also visible. The eggs are laid in grouped rows of 6

- 22 eggs, which rende r their detection easier. Adults of Amsacta spp. are poor fliers. Scirtothrips dorsalis Thrips palmi * Sanitation * Pest management plan, including monitoring and control * Use of clean growing media that have not been previously used and is safegurded to prevent infestation 1 * Inspection Thrips are small, can hide in pseudobulb scales and leaf sheaths of Oncidium plants, and may therefore not be easily detected by visual inspection alone. However, plant material can be carefully examined for signs of thrips, such as scars and deformities. Thrips can pupate in leaf litter and soil. Therefore, general sanitation must be maintained and only APHIS

- approved growing media must be used, which must be clean and not pre viously used. A pest management plan must be implemented, and should include monitoring, inspections for signs of infestation, and pest control as appropriate . Chemical control has been used against thrips , although repeated applications of insecticides may be required to achieve acceptable levels of control. Sakimura et al., 1986 ; Santacroce, 1991 ; Reddy et al., 2005 ; Seal et al., 2006; EPPO, 1989, 2011; CABI, 201 2 ; USDA, 201 2 ;

Spodoptera litura * Growing in screened, enclosed greenhouses 2 * Sanitation * Pest management plan, including monitori ng and control * Use of clean growing media that have not been previously used and is safeguarded to prevent infestation 1 * Inspection The moths are 15

- 20 mm long, with a wingspan of 30

- 38 mm. They have a flight range of 1.5 km during a period of 4 hours overnight, facilitating dispersion and oviposition on different hosts. Therefore, screened, enclosed greenhouses can prevent the moths from entering the production site and from ovipositioning on the plants and growing media. The pests pupate in soil close to the plant. Therefore, general sanitation must be maintained and only APHIS

- approved growing media must be used, which must be clean and not previously used.
T he pest or signs of the pest can be detected through inspection. Newly hatched larvae can be detected by the “scratch” marks left on the leaf surface . Larvae feed Salama and Shoukry, 1972; Santacroce, 1991 ; Matsuura and Naito, 1992 ; Metcalf and Metcalf, 1993; EPPO, 1997; Pogue, 2002 ; CABI, 201 2 ; USDA, 201 211

**Pests M**  **easures Reason**  **References** extensively on plants and can be up to 45 mm in length. O lder larvae are night feeders and can be found in the soil around the base of the plants during the day. E ggs laid in clusters on the upper parts of the leaves can also be detected by inspection

. However, eggs hidden between leaves, in media, or within flowers are more difficult to detect. A pest management plan must be implemented, and should include monitoring, inspections f or signs of infestation, and pest control as appropriate

. Tetranychus kanazawa * Plants may only enter the greenhouse as plantlets in tissue culture flasks or barerooted plants that have been thoroughly inspected and found free of plant pests and diseases 1 * Sanitation * Pest management plan, including monitoring and control * Use of clean growing media that have not been previously used and is safeguarded to prevent infestation 1 * Inspection Spider mites may be spread be spread by the movement of infested plants or contaminated tools or clothing. Only plants that have been thoroughly inspected and found free of plant pests and diseases may enter the greenhouse. While the mites are smaller than the required mesh opening of exclusionary screens, the combination of the solid walls of the greenhouse and screens provide at least a partial barrier. S pider mites often feed on the under side of the leaf. The upper surface of the leaf develops characteristic whitish or yellowish stippling

. As mites move around, the y spin webbing on leaves and stems. Heavy damage may cause leaf drop, and the plant may be covered with webbing and die prematurely

. P lants can be carefully examined for signs of mites. Mites can drop from infested plants ad crawl on soil below

. Heavily infested leaves may drop prematurely. Therefore, general sanitation must be maintained and only APHIS

approved growing media must be used, which must be clean and not previously used. A pest management plan must be implemented, and should include monitoring, inspections for signs of infestation, and pest control as appropriate . Chemical control has been used CABI, 2012; Jones, 2001; Masatoshi , 2002; Zhang, 200312

**Pests M**  **easures Reason**  **References** against mites ; although repeated applications of insecticides may result in resistance biological controls with pesticide resistant predators has been successfully used in Japan and Taiwan. **Mollus k** **s:** Deroceras leave Lissachatina fulica Laevicaulis alte Meghimatium bilineatum Meghimatium pictum Parmarion martensi Petalochlamys vesta * Growing in screened, enclosed greenhouses 2 * Sanitation * Pest management plan, including monitoring and control * Use of clean growing media that have not been previously used and is safeguarded to prevent infestation 1 * Raised benches with copper plates wrapped around legs or equivalent mollusk prevention measures 1 * Inspection * P acking materials and shipping containers are safe guarded from pest infestations 1 Growing the plants in screened, enclosed greenhouses; sanitation and the use of clean, approved growing media reduce the likelihood of introducing the pest into the greenhouse. Growing plants in screened, enclosed greenhouse s ensure absence of irrigation ditches or other openings through which the mollusks could gain access to the greenhouse

. Sanitation measures such as freedom from soil and sand and using APHIS

- approved growing media that have not been used previously reduce potential pathways for the entry of mollusks

. APHIS

- approved growing media are not good pathways for the move ment of mollusks

. 7 CFR 319.37

- 8 and the current Workplan for Phalaenopsis in growing media from Taiwan require all plants to be grown on raised benches , which are at least 46 cm above the floor . The Workplan requires benches to be supported by legs that have copper plates wrapped around each leg, or an equivalent means of preventing mollusk infestations. The pests have inefficient means of movement, move slowly from one site to another, and are generalist feeders spending little time searching for specific foods. Although many mollusks are herbivorous and considered agricultural pests, the majority of terrestrial gastropods feed on microorganisms associated with decaying vegetation. Sanitation measures such as removing plant debris and decaying vegetation, remove a source of feeding, especially for small juvenile and older mature mollusks; and assists in the reduction of pest populations. Santacroce, 1991 ; Metcalf and Metcalf, 1993; Bessin et al., 1997 ; Speiser, 2001 ; Hollingsworth and Sewake, 2002 ; Robinson, 2002 ; CABI, 201 2 ; USDA, 2004, 201113

**Pests M**  **easures Reason**  **References** Larger mature and juvenile forms of these mollusks on plants can be detected by inspection. Mollusks can also be detected by slime trails, excrement, chewed leaves and lesions on plants . This would allow mollusks to be detected either before they enter the greenhouse or during required inspections. Small eggs in soil are difficult to detect, but this possibility is reduced by using clean, approved growing media that have not been previously used. A pest management plan must be implemented, and should include monit oring, inspections for signs of infestation, and pest control as appropriate

. **Bacteria:** Pectobacterium cypripedii (Hori) Brenner et al. * Sanitation * Use of clean growing media that have not been previously used and is safeguarded to prevent infestation 1 * Inspection * The greenhouse is free of sand, soil, weeds, plant pests and debris; * All plants are grown on raised benches * Plants are watered only with rainwater that has been boiled or pasteurized, with clean well water, or with potable water * Pest management plan, including monitoring and control P. cypripedii may spread through compost or soil contaminated with infected plant debris

. Soft rot bacteria like P. cypripedii spread through soil water and may be disseminated by water splash on to the leaves during watering or rainfall. Freedom from soil and raised benches reduce the possibility of water splash dissemination from contaminated soil or plant debris. The use of clean water sources may help prevent contamination. The possibility that the pathogen may survive in growing media or plant debris is limited by the use of clean, approved growing media that have not been used previously, and sanitation measures such as disinfection and removal of plant debris. P. cypripedii causes brown rot on orchids. S ymptoms progress from small, water

- soaked lesions into large brown, greasy - looking, slightly sunken areas. These lesions can become visible from both s ides of the leaf. . Plants can be carefully examined for signs of brown rot disease. Sanitation is very important to minimize the spread P. cypripedii to healthy plants. Control can also be achieved Anonymous, 2007; Bradbury, 1977; CABI, 2012; Pérombelon and Kelman. 198014

**Pests M**  **easures Reason**  **References** with the use of bactericidal sprays applied as soon as symptoms are visible. **Fungi:**
Bipolaris zizaniae * Growing in screened, enclosed greenhouses 2 * Pest management plan, including monitoring and control * Use of clean growing media that have not been previously used and is safeguarded to prevent infestation 1 * Inspection Bipolaris zizaniae infects Zizania latifolia (Family: Poaceae) (water bamboo) and flower petals of Oncidium spp. (Family: Orchidaceae). However, Oncidium is not a primary host for this fungus and a series of events has to occur for the pest to come in contact with suitable host material and establish a colony. Oncidium flower petals have only been found infected when Z. latifolia plants in fected with B. zizaniae were naturally growing nearby orchid nurseries, and where environmental conditions were suitable for the survival of the fungus. Growing the Oncidium plants in a screened, enclosed greenhouse where sanitation and pest management measures are employed, reduces the likelihood of Oncidium flower petals coming into contact with infected Z. latifolia plants under conditions that favor the survival of the fungus

. A pest management plan must be implemented, and should include monitoring, inspections for signs of infe ction , and pest control as appropriate

. The pest management plan should include measure s to remove or control Z. latifolia plants around greenhouses where Oncidium plants are grown. General sanitation measures must be maintained. The possibility that the pathogen may survive in growing media or plant debris is limited by the use of clean, approved growing media that have not been used previously, and sanitation measures such as disinfection and removal of plant debris. Spots on petals of Oncidium orchids can be detected by visual inspection

. Infection studies of rice cultivars with various isolates of Helminthosporium oryzae (a closely Waggoner, 1973 ; Pirone, 1978; Santacroce, 1991 ; Vidhyasekaran, 1986, 1991 ; Palm, 1994 ; Agrios, 1997; Hsieh et al., 2000 ; CABI, 201 2 ; BAPHIQ, 2011; USDA, 201 215

**Pests M**  **easures Reason**  **References** related species to B. zizaniae ) indicated that the pathogen does not display dormancy and that inoculated plants readily express symptoms.

1 Entry of Phalaenopsis orchids as plants in growing media from Taiwan is authorized in 7 CFR 319.37

- 8 and a written agreement between APHIS and BAPHIQ has been in place since 2004 (USDA, 2004). In addition to the measures described in 7 CFR 319.37

- 8 , the written agreement for Phalaenopsis orchis includes several other measures such as : p lants may only enter the greenhouse as plantlets in tissue culture flasks or barerooted plants that have been thoroughly inspected and found free of plant pests and diseases ; benches must have copper bands wrapped around each leg (or an equivalent means of preventing mollusk infestation) ; the growing media is stored and safeguarded in a manner that prevents any possible incursion by plant pests ; and p acking materials and shipping containers are safeguarded from pest infestations

. If approved in 7 CFR 319.37

- 8, a similar written agreement will be required for the importation of Oncidium orchids as plants in growing media from Taiwa n.

2 7 CFR 319.37

- 8(e)(2)(ii) requires screening with openings of not more than 0.6 mm on all vents and openings except entryways. All entryways must be equipped with automatic closing doors. Screens and doors exclude the entry of flying or crawling pests that cannot fit through screens (Metcalf and Metcalf, 1993) , and the greenhouse enclosure provides a physical barrier that reduces the exposure of the plants to rain and windborne pests (Pirone, 1978; Agrios, 1997). The application of insect exclusion screens has proven to be a very effective measure to prevent primary pest infestation of protected environments ( Weintraub and Berlinger, 2004).