First report of Scaphoideus titanus in the Czech Republic
The NPPO of the Czech Republic recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first finding of Scaphoideus titanus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae - main vector of flavescence dorée), on its territory. During an official pest specific survey carried out in 2016, the first specimens of S. titanus (2 adults and 3 larvae) were caught in a vineyard in the municipality of Valtice (Břeclav district, South Moravian region), a few tens of metres away from the border with Austria. This survey had been initiated following information sent in June 2016 by the Austrian Chamber of Agriculture about the occurrence of S. titanus larvae near the Czech border. It is supposed that S. titanus has spread naturally into the Czech Republic from neighbouring infested areas in Austria. No official phytosanitary measures will be taken against S. titanus but intensive specific surveys including testing for Grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma will be carried out.
The pest status of Scaphoideus titanus in the Czech Republic is officially declared as: Present, only in one locality.
Sources
NPPO of the Czech Republic (2016-08).