First report of Lecanosticta acicola in Sweden
The NPPO of Sweden recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Lecanosticta acicola (EPPO A2 List) on its territory. In September 2018, researchers of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences notified the NPPO as they had noted severe blight symptoms on needles of a pine tree (Pinus mugo var. Hesse) located in the Alnarp arboretrum (Skåne region). Two samples of freshly collected infested needles were sent to the laboratory in October 2018, and the identity of L. acicola was confirmed in November 2018. The source of this outbreak is unknown. Official phytosanitary measures will be taken and will include the destruction of the infected tree.
The pest status of Lecanosticta acicola in Sweden is officially declared as: Present.
Sources
NPPO of Sweden (2018-11).