First report of Dryocosmus kuriphilus in Hungary
The NPPO of Hungary recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Dryocosmus kuriphilus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae - EPPO A2 List) on its territory. In late May 2009, swollen buds were observed on a single chestnut (Castanea sativa) tree in a private garden in Üröm (county Pest). The tree originating from Italy had been purchased at a Hungarian garden centre and planted during the autumn 2008. Insect pupae were collected and identified as D. kuriphilus by the diagnostic laboratory of the NPPO. The infested plant was destroyed and burnt before adults could emerge from the galls. No other C. sativa trees were planted in the vicinity of the removed plant. All other C. sativa plants of the garden centre were inspected at each premises of the company and no symptoms were found. Restrictions on the movement of plants were imposed and no C. sativa tree will be allowed to leave the garden centre until the end of the present growing season. It was also noted that no C. sativa plants were growing in the surroundings of the garden centre premises. Further intensive surveys will be conducted to confirm that the pest has been successfully eradicated.
The pest status of Dryocosmus kuriphilus in Hungary is officially declared as: First found, considered eradicated.
Sources
NPPO of Hungary, 2009-07.