Pest categorisation of .

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of (Hemiptera: Matsucoccidae), the Massonian pine bast scale, for the EU territory. This pest categorisation was initiated following the commodity risk assessment of artificially dwarfed plants from China consisting of (Japanese white pine) grafted on (Japanese black pine) performed by EFSA, in which was identified as a pest of possible concern. However, its identity is not firmly established due to uncertainty regarding its taxonomic relationship with (Green), a species widespread in Europe. . occurs in western China and has been reported as a pest of (Chinese red pine) and . These hosts occur in the EU as ornamental/amenity trees. Other scales in the genus feed on a variety of species and the host range of . could be wider than is currently recorded. The scale has one or two generations per year. All stages occur on the branches and stems of hosts with developing nymphs and adult females feeding through the bark on host phloem vessels. Symptoms include the yellowing/browning of host needles, early needle drop, desiccation of shoots and bark necrosis. The most serious infestations occur in hosts that are 8-25 years old and there can be some host mortality. In principle, host plants for planting and plant products such as cut branches and wood with bark could provide entry pathways into the EU. However, prohibitions on the import of from non-European third countries regulate these pathways. In China, . occurs in regions with temperate humid conditions and hot summers. These conditions are also found in parts of southern EU. Were . to establish in the EU, it is conceivable that it could expand its host range; however, this remains uncertain. Some uncertainty exists over the magnitude of potential impacts. satisfies the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest, assuming is not a synonym, which is a key uncertainty.