First finding of honeysuckle yellow vein virus in the Netherlands
The NPPO of the Netherlands recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first finding of honeysuckle yellow vein virus (Begomovirus macrotylomae, HYVV – EU A1 Quarantine Pest as Begomovirus) on its territory. In October 2025, HYVV was detected on Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) plants that had been ordered online from two garden centres in the European Union and one L. japonica from a private garden in the Netherlands. The presence of the pest was confirmed by molecular testing. The only symptoms reported is vein yellowing, which is regarded as a decorative trait of L. japonica ‘Aureoreticulata’ varieties also known as ‘Gold Net’ and ‘Yellow Net’ which are traded specifically for their yellow-veined leaves. The NPPO of the Netherlands considers that HYVV may have a wider distribution in the EU than previously known. As the only symptom is the vein yellowing, which causes the desired trait for which these cultivars are grown worldwide, no phytosanitary measures have been taken.
The pest status of honeysuckle yellow vein virus in the Netherlands is officially declared as: Present on plants for planting of Lonicera japonica.
Sources
NPPO of the Netherlands (2025-10).
NVWA (2025) Quick scan for honeysuckle yellow vein virus. 6 pp. Available at https://english.nvwa.nl/documents/plant/plant-health/pest-risk-analysis/documents/quick-scan-honeysuckle-yellow-vein-virus