Screening potential pests of Nordic coniferous forests associated with trade in ornamental plants

Plant pests moved along with the trade in ornamental plants could pose a threat to forests. In this study plant pests potentially associated with this pathway were screened to identify pests that could pose a high risk to the coniferous forests of Finland, Sweden and Norway. Specifically, the aim was to find pests that potentially could fulfil the criteria to become regulated as quarantine pests. EPPO’s commodity study approach, which includes several screening steps, was used to identify the pests that are most likely to become significant pests of Picea abies or Pinus sylvestris. From an initial list of 1062 pests, 65 pests were identified and ranked using the FinnPRIO model, resulting in a top list of 14 pests, namely Chionaspis pinifoliae, Coleosporium asterum s.l., Cytospora kunzei, Dactylonectria macrodidyma, Gnathotrichus retusus, Heterobasidion irregulare, Lambdina fiscellaria, Orgyia leucostigma, Orthotomicus erosus, Pseudocoremia suavis, Tetropium gracilicorne, Toumeyella parvicornis, Truncatella hartigii and Xylosandrus germanus. The rankings of the pests, together with the collected information, can be used to prioritize pests and pathways for further assessment.