10th meeting of the Panel on Diagnostics in Entomology

Olomouc (CZ), 2025-10-21/23

 

The EPPO Panel on Diagnostics in Entomology met in Olomouc, Czech Republic, at the kind invitation of the Central Institute for Supervising and Testing in Agriculture (ÚKZÚZ). This Panel serves as EPPO’s technical body responsible for preparing and reviewing Diagnostic Standards for insects and mites. The meeting was attended by 14 Panel members and three observers, and was chaired by Ms Trontin (EPPO Secretariat), with the support Mr Aoutil (EPPO Secretariat). Two experts participated in the meeting remotely for the discussions on the Diagnostic Standards they lead.

 

 

Revised EPPO Diagnostic Standards reviewed during the meeting

The Panel reviewed 7 revised Diagnostic Standards.

 

PM 7/003 Thrips palmi

The Panel reviewed the draft of the revised Standard prepared by experts from ANSES (FR) and ILVO (BE). The Panel suggested to redraw the flow diagram and to clarify variation in some morphological characteristics. A new version of the Standard that takes into account the discussions of the Panel will be prepared and sent for the first stage of country consultation.

 

PM 7/052 Diaphorina citri

The Panel reviewed the comments received during the first stage of country consultation on the revised Diagnostic Standard and the changes proposed by the drafting team composed of experts from ANSES (FR), HAPIH (HR), MOAG (IL), Fera Science Ltd (GB), and the Naturhistorisches Museum (CH). The main discussions focused on the selection of images of symptoms to be included in the draft Standard. A new version that takes into account the discussions of the Panel will be prepared and sent for the second stage of country consultation.

 

PM 7/104 Ceratitis capitata and PM 7/105 Ceratitis cosyra

The Panel reviewed the drafts of the revised Standards prepared by experts from ILVO (BE) and the Royal Museum for Central Africa (BE). The Panel discussed the possibility to perform morphological identification on larvae when carried out by an experienced operator and when information on the origin of the consignment is available. The Panel also suggested to add further details to the morphological description and to include a brief procedure for specimen preparation for morphological identification. New versions of the Standards that take into account the discussions of the Panel will be prepared and sent for the first stage of country consultation.

 

PM 7/124 Spodoptera eridania, Spodoptera frugiperda, Spodoptera littoralis, Spodoptera litura, Spodoptera ornithogalli & Spodoptera praefica

The Panel reviewed the draft Standard which was prepared to add new species Spodoptera ornithogalli and Spodoptera praefica by experts from NIVIP (NL) and FGBU VNIIKR (RU). The main points discussed included adjusting the diagnostic procedure and the description of certain morphological characteristics. A new version that takes into account the discussions of the Panel will be prepared, further reviewed by the Panel and sent for the first stage of country consultation.

 

PM 7/134 Dacus ciliatus

The Panel reviewed the draft of the revised Standard prepared by experts from ANSES (FR) and AGES (AT). The Panel discussed the procedure for specimen preparation for molecular identification, and the addition of details on morphological characters for the species. A new version of the Standard that takes into account the discussions of the Panel will be prepared and sent for the first stage of country consultation.

 

PM 7/137 Thaumatotibia leucotreta

The Panel reviewed the draft of the revised Standard prepared by experts from ANSES (FR) and NIVIP (NL). The main discussion points included adding more information to the flow diagram and emphasizing the importance of considering the origin of the specimen in the diagnosis. A new version of the Standard that takes into account the discussions of the Panel will be prepared and sent for the first stage of country consultation.

 

PM 7/154 Agrilus planipennis

The Panel reviewed the draft of the revised Standard prepared by experts from the Slovenian Forestry Institute (SI), ANSES (FR), and the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences (RU). The Panel suggested modifications to the flow diagram and discussed which molecular tests should be kept in the Standard. A new version of the Standard that takes into account the discussions of the Panel will be prepared and sent for the first stage of country consultation.

 

The progress made on the following protocols were also discussed:

  • PM 7/019 Helicoverpa armigera: The molecular section needs to be prepared by molecular experts and Helicoverpa zea needs to be included in the Standard.
  • PM 7/056 Scirtothrips aurantii, Scirtothrips citri, Scirtothrips dorsalis: Among other things, figures to illustrate different characters still need to be prepared.
  • PM 7/057 Trioza erytreae: A draft will be prepared for the next Panel meeting.
  • PM 7/068 Eotetranychus lewisi: The comments received during the first stage of country consultation will be reviewed by the lead author, the revised Standard will be shared with the Panel by email before being sent for the last stage of country consultation.

 

New EPPO Diagnostic Standards reviewed during the meeting

The Panel reviewed 5 new Diagnostic Standards.

 

PM 7/NEW Agrilus anxius

The Panel reviewed the draft of the Standard prepared by experts from the Slovenian Forestry Institute (SI), ANSES (FR), the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SE), and ILVO (BE). The Panel discussed the flow diagram and the description of different morphological characters as well as the illustration of the larval key. A new version of the Standard that takes into account the discussions of the Panel will be prepared and sent for the first stage of country consultation.

 

PM 7/NEW Anthonomus eugenii

The Panel reviewed the comments received during the first stage of country consultation and the changes proposed by the lead author (ANSES, FR). The main discussion points included reformatting the flow diagram, explaining some morphological terms used for identification, mentioning confusing species, and harmonizing figures within the identification key. A new version of the Standard that takes into account the discussions of the Panel will be prepared, and sent for the second stage of country consultation after a final review by the Panel via email.

 

PM 7/NEW DNA barcoding as an identification tool for a number of regulated arthropods

Some of the comments received during the email consultation of the Panel were reviewed. An expert working group has been established to discuss some of the comments in detail.

 

PM 7/NEW Euwallacea fornicatus species complex

The Panel reviewed the comments received during the first stage of country consultation and the changes proposed by the drafting team composed of experts from Fera Science Ltd (GB) and NIVIP (NL). Pictures still need to be added to illustrate the identification keys. A new version of the Standard that takes into account the discussions of the Panel will be prepared, and sent for the second stage of country consultation after a final review by the Panel via email.

 

PM 7/NEW Pityophthorus juglandis

The Panel reviewed the draft of the Standard prepared by experts from ANSES (FR), ONF (FR), NIVIP (NL) and the Slovenian Forestry Institute (SI). Main discussion points included the terminology used for the morphological descriptions, and the validation data available for the molecular tests used for this insect. A new version of the Standard that takes into account the discussions of the Panel will be prepared and sent for the first stage of country consultation.

 

The progress made on the following Standards were also discussed:

  • PM 7/NEW Horizontal key for fruit flies: Experts from ANSES (FR) updated the Panel on the progress made on the preparation of two dichotomous keys (one for adults and one for larvae) for intercepted fruit flies. The keys will be validated at the end of the year and in 2026, and shared with the Panel for comments. The draft Standard will be presented at the next Panel meeting.
  • PM 7/NEW Non-European Monochamus spp.: A drafting team, composed of experts from the Slovenian Forestry Institute (SI) and NIVIP (NL), has established a preliminary online key to help distinguish European Monochamus species from non-European ones.
  • PM 7/NEW Oligonychus perditus: A draft Standard will be presented at the next Panel meeting.
  • PM 7/NEW Strauzia longipennis: The EPPO Secretariat will ask the Working Party on Phytosanitary Regulations if this Diagnostic Standard should remain a priority given that Strauzia species are not listed in EPPO A1 nor A2 lists.

 

Plans for future Diagnostic Standards

The Panel suggested to revise the Standard PM 7/157 Dendrolimus sibiricus and to prepare new Diagnostic Standards for:

  • Ceratothripoides brunneus
  • Listronotus bonariensis
  • Toumeyella parvicornis

 

Other topics

EPPO Databases on diagnostics

The Panel received an update on the EPPO Database on Diagnostic Expertise and on EPPO-Q-bank.

 

EPPO Strategic framework 2026-2030

The Panel was presented the new EPPO Strategic Framework 2026-2030 approved by EPPO Council (2025-09). The Panel brainstormed on possible activities for inclusion in the implementation plan and yearly work programmes to ensure effective execution of this new framework.

 

Next Panel meeting

The next meeting of the Panel on Diagnostics in Entomology will be held in March 2027, with the location to be confirmed later.

 

Participants

The composition of the EPPO Panel on Diagnostics in Entomology can be found on the EPPO website.