First report of Dryocosmus kuriphilus in the Czech Republic
The NPPO of the Czech Republic recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Dryocosmus kuriphilus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae – EPPO A2 List) on its territory. In 2012-05-21, galls of D. kuriphilus (without exit holes) were observed on 2 chestnut trees (Castanea sativa cv. ‘Marrone di Marradi’) by the owner of a garden located in Kunice (Prague-East district, Central Bohemian region). This finding was confirmed by the Czech NPPO and both trees were destroyed on 2012-05-23. Tracing-back studies showed that these 2 infested trees had been produced at one Italian company and delivered via Slovakia to the Czech Republic. In addition, it was found that these 2 infested trees belonged to 1 of 3 consignments (comprising in total 50 possibly infested chestnut trees) also originating from the same Italian company and delivered via Slovakia. Further investigations showed that in addition to the 2 infested trees found in Kunice, 46 other potentially infested trees were traced forward to the following localities:
- Central Bohemian region: Mladà Boleslav, Beroun, Prague-East, and Prague West districts.
- Hradec Kràlové region: Jičin district
- Pardubice region: Svitavy district
- Plzeň region: Plzeň district.
All galls observed did not show exit holes. Of the 50 trees, 2 had been sold to private persons and therefore could not be traced.
Following these initial records, D. kuriphilus was also detected on 2012-07-12 in a garden centre in Čáslav (district of Kutná Hora, Central Bohemian region) during an official survey. The pest was found in 3 pot plants of C. sativa of 3 m height. Numerous galls were present, adults (females) had already been developing inside the galls and exit holes were found in few of them (up to 10%). These plants were part of a consignment (containing 9 plants) delivered by an Italian nursery (Toscana) to the Czech garden centre in March 2012. Tracing forward studies showed that out of these 9 plants: i) 5 were kept in the garden centre in Čáslav but 2 were sold to final consumers, ii) 4 had been sent to another garden centre of the same company in the city of Brno (South Moravian region) and all were sold to final consumers. Therefore, these sold plants could not be traced any further.
In all cases, infested trees were destroyed and phytosanitary measures were taken in accordance with the Commission Decision 2006/464/EC. A regional information campaign is also being conducted by the Czech NPPO.
The pest status of Dryocosmus kuriphilus in Czech Republic is officially declared as: Transient, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Czech Republic (2012-06 and 2012-07).