Is Cacoecimorpha pronubana established in Southern Germany ?
Up till now Cacoecimorpha pronubana (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) was not considered as established in Germany, although it had been intercepted several times in glasshouses. During the last three years, the author noted that he has received increasing numbers of C. pronubana larvae and adults for identification from different parts of Germany, associated with reports of severe damage on glasshouse crops. There is now some evidence that C. pronubana is probably established in Southern Germany. In a small garden centre located in Lörrach at 600 m altitude (Baden-Württemberg) producing ornamentals, C. pronubana has been observed for several years. It is thought that the pest was introduced into this garden centre in 1996 with potted plants (eucalyptus, oleander) from Italy. In 1997, damage was observed in a plastic house of Bergenia. Despite numerous chemical treatments, the insect could not be controlled. Even after cold winter conditions (plastic house partly open and not heated), C. pronubana was found again in spring 1998 causing damage to Bergenia plants.
Sources
Billen, W. (1999) Ist der Mittelmeernelkenwickler (Cacoecimorpha pronubana Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) im Begriff, in Süddeutschland heimisch zu werden ?
Nachrichtenblatt des Deutschen Pflanzenschutzdienstes, 51(5), 127-128.