Incursion of Manduca sexta in Germany
In June and August 2003, caterpillars of Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) were found in a tomato plantation for trials in two glasshouses of the Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany. After removal of the caterpillars and chemical treatment of the plants, no further specimen of M. sexta were detected. The infestation may therefore be considered as eradicated. There is strong suspicion that adults had escaped from the rearing station of a nearby university institute, where M. sexta is used for scientific purposes.
The declared status of M. sexta in Germany is: Absent, single occurrence, eradicated.
Sources
NPPO of Germany, 2004-12.