First report of Stephanitis takeyai in Germany
In 2002, the occurrence of Stephanitis takeyai (EPPO Alert List) was recorded for the first time in Germany. The insect was found in a sample collected from Pieris japonica growing in a public park in Bremen. Further investigations on this site in June 2003 confirmed the infestation. In addition, S. takeyai was detected in a private garden in Bremen and on 2 container plants ordered by the BBA Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture in spring 2003. In one case, the Netherlands was confirmed as the country of origin of one of the infested plants. As S. takeyai is most likely to be moved with trade of container plants, it is feared that it could more widespread in Germany than previously thought.