Drosicha turkistanica Raises Quarantine Concerns in Jammu & Kashmir

Key facts

• Drosicha turkistanica, a sap-sucking insect pest, has been reported on poplar and willow trees in south Kashmir, including Kulgam, and can weaken trees or cause them to wither in severe infestations.
• The pest is considered new to Kashmir, and its emergence has been linked to inadequate quarantine of planting material entering the region.
• Separately, the apple leaf miner has spread across Kashmir’s orchards, initially in Shopian and later to other apple-growing areas, increasing cultivation costs due to additional pesticide sprays.
• The apple leaf miner's arrival coincided with expansion of high-density apple cultivation using planting material imported from countries including Italy and the United States.
• Private distributors are not following standard operating procedures for quarantine, heightening the risk of further pest introductions.