Paysandisia archon found in Lazio and Lombardia, Italy
In Italy, Paysandisia archon (Lepidoptera: Castniidae – EPPO A2 List) was first reported from Campania in 2002. It was then reported from several other Italian regions (i.e. Apulia, Campania, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Marche, Toscana, Sicilia, and Veneto). The NPPO of Italy recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of two new outbreaks in Lazio and Lombardia. In both regions, all infested palm trees were destroyed and monitoring surveys are being carried out to delimit the extent of the infestation.
- In Lazio, P. archon was detected in the municipalities of Castelgandolfo and Grottaferrata (province of Rome). In both cases it was found in private gardens on ornamental palm trees (Chamaerops, Phoenix and Trachycarpus spp.)
- In Lombardia, P. archon was detected in a nursery located in the municipality of Maderno del Garda (province of Brescia).
The situation of Paysandisia archon in Italy can be described as follows: Present, first reported in 2002, outbreaks have been reported from Apulia, Campania, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Toscana, Sicilia, Veneto. Under official control.
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2010-10 and 2010-11).