First report of Eotetranychus lewisi in Germany
The NPPO of Germany recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first findings of Eotetranychus lewisi (Acari: Tetranychidae - EU Annexes) on its territory. The pest was found in 2 nurseries producing poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) under greenhouses in Schleswig-Holstein in August 2020. The identity of the pest was confirmed by morphological identification. Many plants of the plot showed symptoms: yellowish brightening and spotting of the leaves. Official eradication measures are being applied and include destruction of infested and suspicious plants and treatment with plant protection products against spider mites. Official inspections in the nurseries are ongoing. The source of the outbreaks is not known exactly: in both cases, the young plants had been delivered from a nursery in another Member State, but trace-back studies are not yet complete.
The pest status of Eotetranychus lewisi in Germany is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Germany (2020-11).