Published: 07-25-07
AUSTIN – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued an Emergency Action Notification to stop movement of any rice products from infested greenhouses and fields operated by a research facility in Alvin Texas.On July 13 APHIS confirmed the detection of panicle rice mite (PRM) at the facility. The initial discovery was inside a greenhouse. Additional tests have detected positive panicle rice mite findings at three other greenhouses and five rice fields at the research site.
APHIS and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) are conducting an ongoing survey to determine the extent of the infestation on the grounds of the facility which consists of approximately 100 acres of rice planted in various plots. APHIS and TDA are also assessing surrounding rice acreage in close proximity to the research facility.
In addition APHIS has established a technical working group of experts to develop survey and control strategies in response to PRM. The group will continue to meet on a regular basis to address this developing situation and consider mitigation strategies. An investigation is underway to determine the means of this pest’s introduction. This investigation includes all foreign sources of rice seed that have been imported into the facility.
The Texas Department of Agriculture has been granted approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to issue a crisis exemption for a product to control the rice mite. Licensed applicators or persons under the direct supervision of a licensed applicator can use Profenofos to combat the pest. Every effort is being made to control the mite before it becomes widespread.
The PRM is considered a serious rice pest in China the Philippines and Taiwan where it has caused substantial crop losses. In 1997 the pest was detected in the Caribbean region where it is now known to affect Cuba the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
In 2002 the mite was reported in Costa Rica and Nicaragua and in 2005 in Colombia. Recent reports also indicate its presence in Mexico. In the past ten years there have been detections of the pest at greenhouses in Ohio and Texas.
The PRM is considered a serious rice pest in China the Philippines and Taiwan where it has caused substantial crop losses. In 1997 the pest was detected in the Caribbean region where it is now known to affect Cuba the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
In 2002 the mite was reported in Costa Rica and Nicaragua and in 2005 in Colombia. Recent reports also indicate its presence in Mexico. In the past ten years there have been detections of the pest at greenhouses in Ohio and Texas.
