Current situation of Anoplophora glabripennis and A. chinensis in France
The NPPO of France recently informed the EPPO Secretariat about the current situation of Anoplophora glabripennis and A. chinensis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae – both EPPO A1 list) on its territory.
- Anoplophora glabripennis
The first outbreak was discovered in 2003 (see EPPO RS 2003/114) in an industrial area at Gien (Loiret department, Centre region). It is thought that the origin of this outbreak was infested packing wood from China. In 2003, 30 infested trees were identified and destroyed. This infestation was relatively old and large (slightly less than 1 km radius) and numerous insects were found (202 larvae, 3 pupae and 5 adults in their pupal chambers). In 2004, 12 adults were caught, and 10 new infested trees were found and destroyed. In 2005, 2 adults were caught and 6 infested trees were destroyed.
The second outbreak of A. glabripennis was discovered in 2004 (see EPPO RS 2004/163) in a rural area (‘bocage’ landscape) in the small city of Sainte-Anne-sur-Brivet (Loire-Atlantique department, Pays de la Loire region). Similarly, the origin of this outbreak is thought to be infested packing wood from China. In 2004, 77 suspect trees were destroyed, and 163 larvae and 4 eggs were found, showing that insect populations were active. This outbreak of approximately 250 m radius was probably detected at a rather late stage when many trees were already infested. In 2005, 5 adults were found and 33 trees were cut down and burnt as soon as infestation was found.
In conclusion, the two outbreaks are still present probably because of the rather late detection of the pest which in the meantime had already been infested dozens of trees. Eradication efforts therefore continue. However, no symptoms have been observed in the surrounding forests, both at Gien or Sainte-Anne-sur-Brivet, and the number of infested trees is diminishing from one year to the next. Considering the relatively small extent of the outbreaks, their location and the ongoing active surveillance, it is considered that eradication is still feasible.
The status of Anoplophora glabripennis in France is officially declared as follows: Present, only in certain areas, under eradication.
- Anoplophora chinensis
In 2003, an outbreak of A. chinensis was discovered (see EPPO 2004/074) in a nursery at Soyons (Ardèche department, Rhône-Alpes region). It is suspected that the origin of this outbreak was the import of bonsai plants from Asia. In 2003, 5 adults were caught on the premises and 2 infested trees were detected and burnt. As a precaution, all susceptible bonsai plants of the nursery were also destroyed. It is considered that this outbreak was recent, limited to a small area and that control measures had been applied at a sufficiently early stage. Three surveys were conducted in 2004, and five in 2005, on all susceptible tree species within a radius of 1 km around the infested site. No symptoms of the presence of A. chinensis were detected. The NPPO of France now considers that this outbreak has been eradicated.
The status of Anoplophora chinensis in France is officially declared as follows: Absent, pest eradicated.
Sources
NPPO of France, 2006-05.