Pests newly found or intercepted in Germany
The following pests have recently been found in Germany or detected on imported plant material (interceptions) by the German NPPO. Express Pest Risk Analyses were conducted. A short summary is presented below.
- Aclees taiwanensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), native to Asia, is a pest of Ficus species. It was found in a nursery in Rhineland-Palatinate but is not expected to establish in Germany because of the climate. This pest already occurs in France and Italy (EPPO RS 2021/175) and could further spread to Southern Europe.
- Aculops gleditsiae (Acari: Eriophyidae) occurs in Baden-Württemberg. This monophagous mite feeds on Gleditsia triacanthos. It originates in eastern North America but is already established in Italy and Hungary. It is likely to establish outdoors in warmer parts of Germany and may spread to new areas in Southern Europe but potential damage is considered low as it is limited to G. triacanthos.
- Atherigona orientalis (Diptera: Muscidae) was intercepted on fruit of Capsicum, and Solanum melongena from various origins as well as on plants for planting of Sansevieria cylindrica. This fly often affects plants as a secondary pest but strong primary damage to various crops is also noted. The species has already been introduced in Cyprus, Israel and Spain and therefore it could establish in other Mediterranean areas. Measures are recommended in case of findings at import.
- Cecidophyes thailandica (Acari: Eriophyidae) was found in Baden-Württemberg on Ficus binnendijkii indoors. This gall mite is native to tropical and subtropical South-East Asia. Limited information is available about this species.
- Megalurothrips distalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) was intercepted on Momordica sp. from Rwanda. This thrips originates in Asia but also occurs in Africa, Türkiye, and the USA. It mainly affects Fabaceae. It is considered that it could establish in Germany and other EU Member States. Measures are recommended in case of findings at import.
- Stromatium barbatum (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) was intercepted in wood packaging from India. This wood borer is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and was introduced in several African countries. It was recently reported as causing damage to grapevine (Vitis vinifera) in India. It is not expected to be able to establish in Germany because of its climatic requirements but may establish locally in southern Europe.
- Tetranychus neocaledonicus (Acari: Tetranychidae) was found in a flat on Debregeasia edulis. This very polyphagous mite occurs in the tropics and is not expected to be able to establish in Germany. However it could establish in Southern Europe.
Sources
JKI (2021) Express PRA for Aculops gleditsiae – Occurrence
JKI (2022) Express-PRA zu Atherigona orientalis – Beanstandung
JKI (2022) Express-PRA zu Stromatium barbatum –Beanstandung
JKI (2022) Express-PRA zu Cecidophyes thailandica – Auftreten
JKI (2022) Express-PRA zu Megalurothrips distalis – Beanstandung
JKI (2022) Express-PRA for Aclees taiwanensis – Occurrence
JKI (2022) Express-PRA zu Tetranychus neocaledonicus –Auftreten
Available from https://pflanzengesundheit.julius-kuehn.de/risikoanalysen.html and from https://pra.eppo.int/institute/32