Incursion of Thaumatotibia leucotreta in Germany
The NPPO of Germany recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae – EPPO A2 List) on its territory. In June 2018, a single male specimen of T. leucotreta was caught in a trap during an official survey carried out in Saxony. This pheromone trap was placed in a glasshouse (400 m²) producing sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum). In this glasshouse, sweet pepper plants had been planted in May/June, and at the time of the pest finding, fruit harvest had not started. The origin of this incursion is unknown, but it is presumed that the pest escaped from a waste container of a supermarket which was located nearby and contained various fruit and vegetable waste. Official phytosanitary measures have been taken. The NPPO noted that T. leucotreta is not expected to survive outdoors in Saxony and that in addition, the glasshouse concerned is not heated during winter.
The pest status of Thaumatotibia leucotreta in Germany is officially declared as: Transient only 1 specimen at 1 location, actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Germany (2018-08).