The Egyptian bollworm Earias insulana is endemic in Africa and the Mediterranean region and does not occur in Germany. It is, however already established in Armenia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Sicily, Spain, the Balearic and the Canary Islands. So far, it is listed neither in the Annexes of the Directive 2000/29/EC nor by EPPO. E. insulana infests mallow plants, considerable damage mainly is known on Gossypium hirsutum and Abelmoschus esculentus. Due to unsuitable climatic conditions, the pest is not able to establish outdoors in Germany. An establishment in protected cultivation with permanent host availability is assumed. An establishment in Southern European Member States has already taken place. The species will distribute naturally under suitable climatic conditions and with suitable host plants. Due to its low damage potential, the unsuitable climatic conditions and the low host plant availability E. insulana does not present any risk for Germany. The species did already establish in EU-Member States with suitable climate. Thus, Earias insulana is not classified as a quarantine pest and § 4a of the Plant Inspection Order does not apply.