Surveillance Protocols of Emerging Plant Pests Developed and Endorsed in Palestine

Abstract

 

The agricultural sector in Palestine faces increasing threats from emerging invasive pest species, exacerbated by climate change, intensified global trade, and the widespread use of broad-spectrum insecticides that disrupt natural biological control mechanisms. In response to these challenges, the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and supported by the Government of Japan and the European Union, has developed and endorsed comprehensive surveillance protocols for ten priority emerging plant pests. These protocols address pests of significant economic concern, including the Grapevine Leafhopper (Erythroneura elegantula), Guava Fruit Fly (Bactrocera zonata), Olive Psyllid (Euphyllura straminea), Red Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus), Dubas Bug (Ommatissus lybicus), Avocado Shot Hole Borer (Euwallacea sp.), Opuntia Cochineal Scale (Dactylopius opuntiae), Cucurbit Fly (Dacus ciliatus), Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), and Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii).

Each pest protocol follows a standardized framework encompassing pest identification, life cycle determination, economic impact assessment, symptom recognition, and integrated management strategies that emphasize population monitoring and conservation of natural enemies. The protocols integrate both traditional surveillance methods and innovative detection technologies, including pheromone-based trapping, acoustic sensing, canine detection, and molecular diagnostics. Grounded in International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) standards, these field-ready tools are designed to empower plant protection professionals, extension specialists, and farmers to implement effective surveillance programs and make evidence-based pest management decisions. The successful implementation of these protocols is critical for safeguarding agricultural productivity, ensuring food security, protecting biodiversity, maintaining international market access, and sustaining the livelihoods of farming communities in Palestine. This document serves as a practical guide that will undergo regular review and updating as new pest threats emerge and scientific understanding advances.