Paysandisia archon found in large palms in Puglia (Italy)
In Puglia region (south of Italy), Paysandisia archon (Lepidoptera: Castiniidae – EPPO Alert List) was first found in spring 2004, but remained confined to palm tree nurseries. However, observations made in 2006 in the area of Polignano a Mare (Province of Bari) showed that the pest was also present in old palm trees. 5 Phoenix canariensis (3 metres tall) growing far from infested nurseries showed signs of damage and larvae were collected. Prof. Pellizzari kindly provided EPPO with a note describing this finding which is now available from the EPPO website: ‘Porcelli F, Monfreda R, Ricci MS, Stingi N, Cavallo C, Pellizzari G (2006) Paysandisia archon (Burmeister, 1880) escapes from nurseries and colonizes large palms in South Italy.’ http://www.eppo.org/QUARANTINE/Alert_List/insects/paysar_details.htm
Sources
Personal communication with Prof. G. Pellizzari, University of Padova (IT), 2006-05.