Rhynchophorus ferrugineus detected on new palm species in Italy
In Southern Italy, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae – EPPO A2 List) has been found infesting palm trees in private and public gardens since 2004 (EPPO RS 2006/001). In November 2007, during surveys carried out by the Regional Plant Protection Service of Campania, 4 Brahea armata trees (over twenty years old) were found infested by R. ferrugineus in a garden in Salerno. In addition, 1 infested Butia capitata was found in a garden in Castellamare di Stabia (Napoli). Owners of the infested palm trees have been requested by the Regional Plant Protection Service to immediately cut down and destroy the infested palm trees. Both species, Brahea armata and Butia capitata originate from America and are not included in the list of susceptible plants of the EU Commission Decision (2007/365/EC). These observations confirm the high polyphagy of R. ferrugineus.
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Commission Decision 2007/365/EC of 25 May 2007 on emergency measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Community of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier).
http://www.eppo.org/ABOUT_EPPO/EPPO_MEMBERS/phytoreg/eu_texts/2007-365-EC-e.pdf
Sources
Regional NPPO of Italy, Regione Campania, 2008-02.
Griffo R, Martino V, Pesapane G (2008) [Rhynchophorus ferrugineus detected on others species of palms] Il floricoltore no. 1-2, 37-39 (in Italian).