First record of Paysandisia archon in Switzerland
The NPPO of Switzerland recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Paysandisia archon (Lepidoptera: Castniidae – EPPO A2 List) on its territory. Symptoms of the pest were detected on 2010-07-22 during a regular inspection of a garden centre. Several pupae and larvae were found on a small lot of imported palm trees (Trachycarpus fortunei). The identification of the pest was carried out by the Entomology Laboratory of Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil (ACW). It is considered that the pest had been introduced with infested palm trees from Italy because earlier in the same month, 19 plants had been imported from this country. Appropriate measures have been taken in order to eradicate the pest, including the destruction of all potential host plants in the garden centre. A detection survey is being carried out in the surrounding area. An information leaflet with illustrations will be distributed to the general public.
The situation of Paysandisia archon in Switzerland can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2010 in a garden centre on imported Trachycarpus fortunei, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Switzerland (2010-08).