Biological control agents added to EPPO Standard PM 6/3
In 2026, two biological control agents have been added to the appendices of the EPPO Standard PM 6/3 (5) Biological control agents safely used in the EPPO region. Both are biological control agents of invasive alien plants.
Stenopelmus rufinasus (Coleoptera: Brachyceridae)
Stenopelmus rufinasus is a biological control agent of Azolla filiculoides (Salviniaceae) an invasive alien plant species. Following a detailed assessment of the dossier, S. rufinasus was added to Appendix 1 Commercially or officially used biological control agents. S. rufinasus is indigenous to the southern and western USA and is established and widespread in the EPPO region. There are no reports of adverse effects.
Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae (Hymenoptera: Melanosomellidae)
Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae is a classical biological control agent for the invasive alien plant Acacia longifolia (Fabaceae). Following a detailed assessment of the dossier, T. acaciaelongifoliae was added to Appendix 2 Classical biological control agents successfully established in the EPPO region. T. acaciaelongifoliae is indigenous to Australia and is established in the EPPO region in Portugal since 2016. There are no reports of adverse effects.
Sources
EPPO (2026 version) PM 6/3 (5) Biological control agents safely used in the EPPO region. Available at: https://www.eppo.int/RESOURCES/eppo_standards/pm6_biocontrol