First report of Spodoptera frugiperda in Greece
The NPPO of Greece recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae – EPPO A2 List) on its territory. As part of the official survey programme conducted since 2019, pheromone funnel traps were placed in fields of maize (Zea mays), rice (Oryza sativa) and solanaceous plants in 40 regional units of Greece. Adults were caught at the end of September and in October 2023, first in the mainland in the regions of Laconia and Eastern Attica, and then in the region of Evvoia and the island of Kriti (in the region of Heraklion and Lassithi).
The pest was identified as S. frugiperda by the Benaki Phytopathological Institute following EPPO Standard PM 7/124(1) and confirmed by the relevant EU Reference Laboratory for Insects and Mites. Eradication measures are being taken according to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1134. Surveys will be intensified, and actions to inform stakeholders and the general public have been taken.
The pest status of Spodoptera frugiperda in Greece is officially declared as: Present, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Greece (2023-10).
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1134 of 8 June 2023 as regards measures to prevent the introduction into, establishment and spread within the Union territory of Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) and repealing Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/638. OJ L 149. http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2023/1134/oj