First report of Paysandisia archon in Germany
The NPPO of Germany recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first finding of Paysandisia archon (Lepidoptera: Castniidae – EPPO A2 List) on its territory. At the end of January 2016, P. archon was found in a glasshouse of a nursery located near Halle in Saxony-Anhalt. One lot (300 plants) of Trachycarpus fortunei plants was found to be infested. The identity of the pest was confirmed by using the EPPO diagnostic protocol PM 7/108(1). In the infested lot, it is estimated that approximately 3 larvae per plant were present. This infested lot had been delivered in July 2015 from another EU Member State where the pest is present. Therefore, it is assumed that P. archon has been introduced with the delivered plants and the NPPO of the Member State concerned has been informed so that tracing-back investigations can be carried out. Phytosanitary measures were immediately taken to eradicate P. archon. All plants of the infested lot were destroyed and quarantine was imposed.
The pest status of Paysandia archon in Germany is officially declared as: Transient, only at one location under glass, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Germany (2016-12).