Occurrence of Rhagoletis completa in Germany
The NPPO of Germany recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the occurrence of Rhagoletis completa (Diptera: Tephritidae – EU Annexes) in Juglans regia in Baden-Württemberg. In 2002, R. completa caused severe damage in walnut (Juglans spp.) in the Northern part of Switzerland close to the German border. Therefore, the plant protection service of Baden-Württemberg initiated in 2004 a survey to investigate the situation in the area of Südbaden. Large numbers of R. completa were caught on yellow sticky traps (up to 50 individuals per trap). It is assumed that the occurrence of R. completa in Südbaden is due to natural spread for several years already. The pest has probably not been recognized before, as it causes symptoms very similar to those of Xanthomonas campestris pv. juglandis, which is known to occur in that area.
The pest status is declared as follows: Present; widespread in Southwest Germany.
Sources
NPPO of Germany, 2004-09.