Update on the situation of Pochazia shantungensis in France
In France Pochazia shantungensis (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae - EPPO Alert List) was first recorded in 2018 in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region (EPPO RS 2021/129, RS 2022/001), in Occitanie region in 2022 (RS 2023/011) and in Corsica in 2023 (RS 2024/168).
The NPPO of France confirms that the specimens collected were all P. shantungensis and not P. chinensis, and provided some additional information on recent findings.
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
In Alpes-Maritimes department, a total of 4 individuals were trapped in 2022 in private gardens and 2 nurseries in the municipalities of Cagnes-sur-Mer and Saint Paul de Vence. In 2023, 1 adult was caught in a citrus orchard in Saint Laurent du Var. In 2024, the insect was trapped in an old non-commercial citrus orchard in Vallauris (10 specimens), on 2 Prunus trees in public green areas in Nice (2 specimens) and in 2 nurseries (one in Grasse and one in Villeneuve Loubet where 1 individual was found on a Phillyrea angustifolia).
- Occitanie
In 2023, 2 adults were caught in Castelnau-le-Lez (close to the place of the finding in 2022, Hérault department) and 3 adults in Toulouges (Pyrénées-Orientales department), all in semi-natural areas located close to plant resellers. No other specimens have been observed during visual examinations in the vicinity of the traps. In 2024, 2 adults were trapped in a nursery in Toulouges and 2 others were trapped in the vicinity of two nurseries in Castelnau-le-Lez.
- Corsica
The populations appear to be more significant than in other regions, with 2 to 3 adults trapped at a time. In this region, larvae have also been detected. The detections have occurred in 6 nurseries/plant resellers: 3 professional operators in Haute-Corse (2 in 2023, 1 in 2024) and 3 in Corse-du-Sud in 2024. The insect was also found in two orchards in 2024 (including citrus and kiwi trees) in Haute-Corse.
So far, no damage on plants has been recorded in any region where P. shantungensis has been detected in France. Phytosanitary treatments have been implemented by professional operators in nurseries, and awareness raising activities have been implemented.
The situation of Pochazia shantungensis in France can be described as: Present, not widely distributed and under official control.
Sources
NPPO of France (2025-01)