First report of Mycosphaerella dearnessii in Latvia
The NPPO of Latvia recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Mycosphaerella dearnessii (EPPO A2 List) on its territory. The fungus was detected in a single Pinus pumila tree in the National Botanical Garden in Salaspils near Riga. During the annual official survey, one sample was taken from this P. pumila tree on 2012-06-27. Testing was carried out by the National Phytosanitary Laboratory of Latvia and the morphological characteristics of the causal agent corresponded to Lecanosticta acicola, the anamorph of Mycosphaerella dearnessii. In 2012-08-07, the identity of the species M. dearnessii was confirmed by PCR-based methods by ANSES Plant Health Laboratory in France. Eradication measures were taken and additional phytosanitary measures are being developed.
The pest status of Mycosphaerella dearnessii in Latvia is officially declared as: Present, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Latvia (2012-08).