Eradication of Pochazia shantungensis in Germany
In Germany, Pochazia shantungensis (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae, EPPO Alert List) was first found in a private garden in Baden-Württemberg in August 2021 (EPPO RS 2022/011). A small number of adults were found on a recently purchased Catalpa bungei tree. These adults were killed, and no other signs of the pest were found in the garden or in the nursery where the tree had been bought.
In 2022, visual inspections were carried out in the garden where P. shantungensis had been found and in the surroundings. In addition, sticky traps were used to detect the possible presence of the insect in the garden and in the relevant nursery. In 2023, visual inspections continued. No P. shantungensis were detected. It is presumed that the pest could not establish, and the outbreak is eradicated.
The pest status of Pochazia shantungensis in Germany is officially declared as: Absent, pest eradicated.
Sources
NPPO of Germany (2023-08).