Diabrotica virgifera trapped near Venezia airport (Italy)
Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) has been found for the first time in Italy, at the end of July 1998. The insect was trapped in the vicinity of Venezia airport (Marco Polo di Tessera). So far, 6 adults have been caught using pheromone traps. No damage has been observed on maize. The official authorities (Osservatorio per le Malattie delle Piante di Verona) will continue to monitor this area to determine the extent of the outbreak and take appropriate control measures to prevent any further spread.
Sources
Osservatorio per le Malattie delle Piante di Verona, Servizio Fitosanitario Regionale del Veneto, 1998-08.