First report of Aproceros leucopoda in the Czech Republic
The NPPO of the Czech Republic recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Aproceros leucopoda (Hymenoptera: Argidae – EPPO Alert List) on its territory. In August 2013, the pest was found during an official survey carried out by the NPPO in the district of Trutnov, Hradec Králové region. The pest was detected in a forest on 13 plants of Ulmus minor and U. glabra, on 2 nearby sites (separated by a distance of 830 m). Characteristic zigzag feeding tracks were observed on elm leaves, as well as larvae, cocoons and imagoes. The insect was identified on the basis of the larval and adult morphological characteristics by the NPPO diagnostic laboratory. The source of this infestation is not known but it is considered that this new record corresponds to natural spread from neighbouring countries. In September 2013, feeding damage on elm trees was also observed in other localities of the same region, in the districts of Jičín and Trutnov. No official measures were taken, but an information leaflet (in Czech -http://eagri.cz/public/web/file/255725/Listovka_Pilatenka_nahled.pdf) was published to inform the public about this invasive pest.
The pest status of Aproceros leucopoda in the Czech Republic is officially declared as: Present, only in some areas.
Sources
NPPO of the Czech Republic (2013-11).