The 12th update of the EC database of host plants found susceptible to Xylella fastidiosa in the EU territory has been released

On 11 April 2019, the EC DG Health and Food Safety released the 12th update of the Commission database of host plants found to be susceptible to Xylella fastidiosa in the Union Territory. The total number has risen up to 87 host plant species, respectively, of the X. fastidiosa subspecies multiplex (46), pauca (24, including 11 common to multiplex) and fastidiosa (6, including 1 common to multiplex), in addition to 16 host species found to be infected by all three subspecies mentioned, or by isolates of the bacterium whose subspecies is still to be determined.

Seven new plant species have been now included in the list of hosts found to be infected by X. fastidiosa subspecies multiplex, which is the most widespread in Europe, with large outbreaks in France, Spain, Portugal and Italy:

  • Calicotome spinosa (L.)
  • Coprosma repens Rich.
  • Elaeagnus angustifolia
  • Euryops pectinatus (L.) Cass.
  • Prunus armeniaca
  • Ulex europaeus
  • Veronica elliptica

Three new species have been included in the list of hosts of the subspecies pauca, identified also through the contribution of the research projects POnTE and XF-ACTORS:

  • Amaranthus retroflexus
  • Dimorphoteca fruticosa (L.)
  • Euphorbia chamaesyce

Cherry (Prunus avium) has been now included in the list of hosts susceptible to X. fastidiosa, irrespective of the subspecies, while the subspecies that infects Ulex minor and Vinca still remain to be determined.