Paysandisia archon found again in Liguria region (IT)
The NPPO of Italy recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of another finding of Paysandisia archon (Lepidoptera: Castniidae – EPPO A2 List) in the municipality of La Spezia in Liguria region. Larvae of the pest were found in palm trees (Chamaerops and Trachycarpus) in a garden of a military area. All infested plants were immediately destroyed, and adjacent palm trees were preventatively treated. The Regional PPO of Liguria will carry out surveys to delimit the extent of the infestation and determine the appropriate phytosanitary measures. It can be recalled that P. archon had already been detected in Liguria in July 2008, on a single palm tree (Phoenix canariensis) which was subsequently destroyed (EPPO RS 2008/137).
The situation of Paysandisia archon in Italy can be described as follows: Present, found in several regions (Apulia, Campania, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Marche, Toscana, Sicilia, Veneto), under official control.
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2010-08).