Opogona sacchari found in Bremen and Brandenburg, Germany
The NPPO of Germany recently informed the EPPO Secretariat that Opogona sacchari (Lepidoptera: Tineidae - EPPO A2 list) has been found in glasshouses in Bremen and Brandenburg. In both cases, phytosanitary measures were taken to eradicate the pest.
Bremen
In November 2011, O. sacchari was found on 3 banana (Musa sp.) plants in a greenhouse in the municipality of Bremen. The presence of the pest had been notified by the operator of the greenhouse to the NPPO which then carried out surveys (visual inspections and traps). The identity of the pest was confirmed (morphological methods) in December 2017.
Brandenburg
During official surveys, O. sacchari was caught in pheromone traps in a garden centre in Brandenburg. The glasshouse contained ornamental plants (Bromelia, Dracaena, Dieffenbachia, Ficus, Philodendron, Saintpaulia, and Sansevieria), but no symptoms could be found on the plants. Over a period of 4 weeks, 80 specimens were caught. The identity of the pest was confirmed in October 2017. It is presumed that O. sacchari was introduced with infested ornamental plants purchased from another company. Surveys are being conducted in the garden centre concerned and in other related garden centres.
The pest status of Opogona sacchari in Germany is officially declared as: Transient, in some areas, actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Germany (2017-10, 2018-01).