First report of Neonectria neomacrospora in France
The NPPO of France recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Neonectria neomacrospora (EPPO Alert List) on its territory. The fungus was identified in October 2017 on a sample (twig with needles) which had been collected from a dying Abies alba tree in the Peguère forest, located in the municipality of Cauterets (Hautes-Pyrénées). It is noted that in the tested sample, other fungal species (Phomopsis sp. and Rhizosphaera sp.) were identified. As this montaneous area (1630 m altitude) cannot be accessed during winter because of snow, the site will be surveyed again in 2018 between April and October to delimit the extent of the infection and to determine whether N. neomacrospora is the cause of dieback symptoms observed.
The pest status of Neonectria neomacrospora in France is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned.
Sources
NPPO of France (2018-05).