New records of Pochazia shantungensis in France
In France, Pochazia shantungensis (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae – EPPO Alert List) was first recorded in 2018 in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, in Occitanie region in 2022, in Corsica in 2023 and in Alsace in 2025 (EPPO RS 2021/129, RS 2022/001, RS 2023/011,RS 2024/168, RS 2025/007, RS 2025/028).
The NPPO of France has conducted official surveys and recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of new records of Pochazia shantungensis on its territory.
- Nouvelle-Aquitaine
In July 2025 one adult of P. shantungensis was caught in a trap installed in a small nursery in Gironde department. No other specimens have been observed since then, including during the official inspection after the confirmation, and no signs of the pest have been observed. This finding is considered as an interception.
- Rhône-Alpes
Following a report from a professional operator, the presence of the pest was confirmed in a nursery in the Rhône department in July 2025. Larvae were found in a batch of 50 potted Prunus lusitanica. No other specimens or signs of the pest were found during the follow-up official inspection. Infested plants were treated with an insecticide.
As the P. lusitanica plants had been produced in the nursery, the origin of the infestation is not clear.
In both cases, reinforced and risk-based surveillance is implemented and awareness raising activities are carried out.
The status of Pochazia shantungensis in France is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of France (2025-07, 2025-09).