First report of Paysandisia archon in the Czech Republic
The NPPO of the Czech Republic recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Paysandisia archon (Lepidoptera: Castniidae – EPPO A2 List) on its territory. In 2011, palm trees (Trachycarpus fortunei) planted in the Dvůr Králové Zoological garden showed damage symptoms. Palm trees were infested by larvae which were identified as P. archon. The presence of the pest was associated with a lot of 30 plants of T. fortunei that had been imported from Italy and delivered to the zoo in September 2009. The infestation became apparent when most of these T. fortunei plants were overwintering in a glasshouse. Other palm tree species placed in the same glasshouse or in other glasshouses of the zoo did not show any symptoms of infestation. The infested lot of palm trees has been destroyed to eradicate P. archon.
The pest status of Paysandisia archon in the Czech Republic is officially declared as: Transient, recorded in one premises, actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of the Czech Republic (2011-05).