Diabrotica virgifera virgifera found for the first time in Ardèche, Drôme, Vaucluse and Var (FR)
The NPPO of France recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae – EPPO A2 List) in the departments of Ardèche, Drôme (Rhône-Alpes region), Vaucluse and Var (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region). During the annual official survey on D. virgifera virgifera, adult beetles were caught in 4 pheromone traps located in maize fields in these 4 departments. For the moment, only 1 beetle has been caught in each of the traps, but the trapping campaign is still ongoing. The identification of the 4 specimens caught was done by the French reference laboratory in July and August 2012. No damage has been observed in the maize crops where the beetles have been caught. In accordance with EU Decision 2008/644/EC (and French legislation), phytosanitary measures have been taken against the pest.
The pest status of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera in France is officially declared as: Present, restricted distribution.
Sources
NPPO of France (2012-08).