First report of Pochazia shantungensis in Switzerland
The NPPO of Switzerland recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first finding of Pochazia shantungensis (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae – EPPO Alert List) on its territory.
In January 2025, a private individual recorded the presence of a specimen of P. shantungensis in the canton of Basel-Landschaft on the internet platform iNaturalist. The NPPO of Switzerland contacted the individual and obtained a dried specimen of P. shantungensis which was confirmed as being P. shantungensis by the National Reference Laboratory in October 2025. No further P. shantungensis have been recorded. The original specimen had been recorded on a plant bought in Italy, and no phytosanitary measures have been applied as the NPPO of Switzerland considers that the individual is a hitchhiker and that the species has not established. No eggs were recorded on the plant.
The pest status of Pochazia shantungensis in Switzerland is officially declared as: Absent, pest no longer present for reasons other than eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Switzerland (2026-04).