Agapanthus gall midge

 

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Publication Date

Wed, 06 Oct 2021, 16:02

Last Updated

Oct. 6, 2021, 4:02 p.m.

Report Number

GBR-37/1

Country

United Kingdom

Report Status

Final

Hosts

Agapanthus spp.

Pest Status (old values from ISPM 8 -1998 )

• Present: at low prevalence
• Present: but managed
• Present: only in some areas
• Present: subject to official control
• Present: under eradication

Pest Status (ISPM 8 - 2021)

• Present: at low prevalence
• Present: not widely distributed and under official control

Geographical Distribution

South of England

Summary

Following an official survey in 2015, the midge has been identified on Agapanthus plants in public gardens in Devon, Essex, Somerset and Surrey, from private gardens in Surrey and West Sussex, and from nurseries/garden centres in Cornwall, Dorset, Hampshire and Surrey.

Statutory action is being taken on commercial premises where the midge has been identified, to prevent movement of the midge across the UK, as well as into other EU countries

As the midge has been confirmed as established in gardens in a number of counties, no statutory action is being taken in the wider environment, but advisory information will be provided to help suppress populations.

Identified on 12th August 2014 as a species new to science. Yet to be formally described.

Danger

The midge has only been recorded on Agapanthus. It causes flower buds to deform, discolour and sometimes fail to open. Occasionally, the midge can lead to the collapse of whole flower heads. This will impact negatively on the sale of Agapanthus.

Report files

Website

https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/phiw/riskRegister/viewPestRisks.cfm?cslref=27376

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=901

Issue keywords

Commodity keywords