First report of Neonectria neomacrospora in Finland
The NPPO of Finland recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first report of Neonectria neomacrospora (EPPO Alert List) on its territory. The pathogen was found in old trees of Abies concolor in the Mustila arboretum near Elimäki, Southern Finland. In March 2018, N. neomacrospora was identified (PCR, sequencing) by a research institute in these old trees that had been showing symptoms since the 1980s. Symptoms were particularly visible in the upper tree crown. These trees have been growing in the arboretum for a hundred years, and their origin is unknown. It is noted that most of the A. concolor trees had died since the 1980s. All remaining A. concolor trees (1 old infected tree and smaller infected trees, in total approximately 20 trees) will be cut down during summer 2018 by the owner of the arboretum (unofficial measures).
The pest status of Neonectria neomacrospora in Finland is officially declared as: Present.
Sources
NPPO of Finland (2018-06).