First report of Phytophthora pluvialis in Ireland
The NPPO of Ireland recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first finding of Phytophthora pluvialis (EPPO Alert List) on its territory.
Annual surveys have been carried out in Ireland for P. pluvialis since 2022. A potentially infested forest plantation near Macroom (Cork County) was identified in October 2023 when symptomatic western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) were observed. Numerous samples have been tested since 2022, of which one sample, from the forest plantation mentioned above, taken in 2023 tested positive for P. pluvialis by real-time PCR. Efforts have continued since then to isolate the pathogen from symptomatic T. heterophylla samples and from water sources on site by leaf baiting. In February 2026, P. pluvialis was detected from T. heterophylla leaf baits in water from the forest plantation. No official measures are applied.
Phytophthora ramorum (EU isolates) (EPPO A2 List) has also been detected at the site in western hemlock and Douglas fir. P. ramorum was first confirmed in Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) in Irish forests in 2010 (EPPO RS 2010/150) and has been a serious forest health issue since, causing severe damage to Japanese larch.
The pest status of Phytophthora pluvialis in Ireland is officially declared as: Present, at low prevalence, in specific parts of the Member State, where host crop(s) are grown.
Sources
NPPO of Ireland (2026-03).