Pest risk analysis for Nematus lipovskyi

In the area of the Czech Republic and probably in the whole EU was confirmed the occurence of azalea sawfly (Nematus lipovskyi) for the first time in 2010. The species was determined in 2013, when first imago was caught. Azalea sawfly causes damages on deciduous rhododendrons. The PRA concludes, that without taking phytosanitary measures the impact of Azalea sawfly will be relatively low, cause the deciduous rhododendrons are not indigenous in the Czech Republic. The overall risk of Azalea sawfly is considered to be low, so the introduction of phytosanitary measures in the CR doesn´t seem to be necessary. Higher risk can Azalea sawfly present to EPPO countries, where R. luteum, one of the deciduous rhododendron species, is wide-spread.