First report of Cryphalus morivorus in Hungary
The Asian bark beetle Cryphalus morivorus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae, EU quarantine pest as ‘non-European Scolytinae’) was first detected in the EPPO region in May 2025 in Slovakia on white mulberry (Morus alba) (EPPO RS 2026/139).
In June 2026 the researchers who had detected C. morivorus in Slovakia in 2025, reported to the NPPO of Hungary that they had also collected C. morivorus in Hungary on M. alba at 10 sites in Budapest (Közép Magyarország region). The NPPO of Hungary immediately conducted an official inspection and confirmed the presence of C. morivorus at the 10 sites indicated by the researchers, as well as in two additional sites on M. alba trees with signs of infestation. One live adult of C. morivorus was found. The identity of the pest was confirmed by molecular testing by the National Reference Laboratory. The source of the outbreak remains unknown. The NPPO of Hungary consider that the species may be established in Budapest as signs of infestation were all found on mature trees. A delimiting survey will be conducted, including pheromone traps to investigate population dynamics and seasonal activity.
The official status of Cryphalus morivorus in Hungary is declared as: Transient, actionable, under surveillance.
Sources
NPPO of Hungary (2026-06).
Pastirčáková K, Barta M, Pastirčáková O, Pastirčák M (2026) First record of Cryphalus morivorus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in Hungary following its recent detection in Europe. Biologia 81(7),164. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-026-02244-y