First report of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera in Greece
In 2009, the presence of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae – EPPO A2 List) was detected for the first time in Greece during an official survey. Pheromone traps were placed in most of the maize-producing areas (31 prefectures) and inspected every 10 to 15 days from mid-June to September 2009. Adults of D. virgifera virgifera were captured in 4 prefectures (Thessaloniki, Serres, Florina and Pieria) of Northern Greece. The first capture was made on 2009-07-13 and the last on 2009-08-30. The pest was caught in maize fields near the main roads that connect Northern Greece with other countries of the Balkan Peninsula. It is considered that the pest population is rather low in all infested areas. The numbers of insects caught were as follows: Fiorina (201 in 4 trapping sites), Thessaloniki (51 in 3 sites), Pieria (15 in 1 site), Serres (7 in 6 sites). Phytosanitary measures are being taken to contain the pest.
The situation of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera in Greece can be described as follows: Present, first detected in 2009 in 4 prefectures (Thessaloniki, Serres, Florina and Pieria) of Northern Greece.
Sources
Michaelakis AN, Papadopoulos NT, Antonatos SA, Zarpas K, Papachristos DP (2010) First data on the occurrence of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Greece. Hellenic Plant Protection Journal 3(1), 29-32.