Aceria kuko found again in Germany
In Germany, the presence of Aceria kuko (Acari: Eriophyidae) was noticed for the first time in 2011 in Baden-Württemberg (EPPO RS 2011/218). This gall mite originating from South-East Asia was found on ‘Goji berry’ plants (Lycium spp.) grown in an orchard for fruit production. Eradication measures were taken by the NPPO in Baden-Württemberg. After this initial finding, a survey (including official inspections of nurseries) was conducted in most German länder in 2012. As a result, A. kuko was found in Berlin, Bayern, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Sachsen, and Schleswig-Holstein. The mite was identified on the basis of its morphological characteristics. In all cases, official control measures were taken and included: destruction of infested plants (in Bayern, Schleswig-Holstein, Rheinland-Pfalz), acaricide treatments, quarantine, official inspections in nurseries. The origin of these infestations is unknown but it is suspected that A. kuko has been introduced with infested plant material.
Berlin: A. kuko was found in 7 locations. There is no commercial production of Lycium plants in Berlin and most findings were made in private gardens. In one site, the infested plants had been delivered by a trader from Niedersachsen.
Bayern: in 2012-05-09, symptoms caused by A. kuko were observed on Lycium barbarum plants in 1 nursery. Approximately 600 plants showed leaf galls. During summer, A. kuko was also found in 4 other nurseries and 1 private garden.
Nordrhein-Westfalen: 10 Lycium plants showing symptoms of A. kuko were found in a garden centre. These plants originated from Niedersachsen.
Niedersachsen: meticulous tracing-back studies were carried out in Niedersachsen but no infested plants could be found in 2012. However in one nursery, the staff had seen symptoms in 2011. The nurseries concerned are now officially and regularly inspected.
Rheinland-Pfalz: in September 2012, A. kuko was found in 2 nurseries where the plants had also been delivered from Niedersachsen.
Sachsen: in 2012-06-26, symptoms caused by A. kuko were found on Lycium plants in 1 nursery. Approximately 110 plants showed leaf deformations, light-coloured patches and galls on the leaves.
Schleswig-Holstein: in 2012-07-25, symptoms caused by A. kuko were observed on Lycium plants in 1 nursery. Approximately 5% of a lot of 1275 potted plants, as well as some mother plants, were infested.
The pest status of Aceria kuko in Germany is officially declared as: Transient in some areas (Berlin, Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Sachsen, Schleswig-Holstein), under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Germany (2012-12).