S. Mahunka szerk.: Folia Entomologica Hungarica 52. (Budapest, 1992)

First introduction of Xyleborus affinis (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), a pest of Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana', to Hungary By O. Merkl and Cs. K. Tusnádi (Received July 1, 1991) First introduction of Xyleboms affvxis (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), a pest of Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana', to Hungary. - The circumtropical ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus affinis (Eichhoff, 1868) was first recorded in Hungary. The pest was unintentionally introduced by canes of Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana' from Costa Rica. With 5 figures and one table. Cultivated in Hungary since 1989, Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana' (Monocotyledonopsida: Agavaceae) is a highly resistant foliage plant. The propagating material is produced in Central and South America. The upper end of the unsprouted canes is covered by paraffin wax in order to prevent desiccation while the lower end is plunged into growth-stimulating hormone and the canes are placed in moist sawdust during shipping. Short shoots develop from the upper 2 or 3 dormant buds of the potted canes. After 4 or 5 months growth the plants are ready for sale. In Europe, it is merely the banana moth (Opogona sacchari Bojer) which was regarded so far as a dangerous pest of Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana . It was unintentionally introduced to Western Europe from tropical and subtropical areas (Boogard 1978, Heddergott and Koch 1988). In 1990, the Rozmaring Horticultural Ltd. (Budapest) imported 9200 canes of 30, 45, 60 and 90 cm in length from Costa Rica. The shipment arrived at the greenhouses in the 26th April. Nine weeks later, in the 28th June, curious damage was spotted in two, apparently healthy plants. Frass tendrils protruded from small holes in the cane and later, the fallen frass formed small heaps at the base of the cane. From 11th July, scolytid beetles emerged from the holes. The specimens were identified by C. Holzschuh as Xyleborus affinis Eichhoff, 1868. As an extra-European scolytid species, this beetle is qualified as a quarantine pest in Hungary. The damage Scattered holes 1 mm in diameter were seen on the bark of the Dracaena canes from which frass granules plopped or frass tendrils protruded. The frass tendrils were curved and 0.5-2 cm in length (Fig. 2). Their colour was brownish white at the beginning then turned brownish grey to dark brown. The dropped pieces of frass were accumulated at the base of the cane (Fig. 1) and this was the first sign that directed attention to the