Situation of Anoplophora glabripennis in France in 2008
In France, two outbreaks of Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Ceambycidae – EPPO A1 List) were reported in 2003 (Gien) and in 2004 (St Anne-sur-Brivet). In 2008, the pest was reported at two new locations, first in Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin) and then in Velars-sur-Ouche (Côte d’Or). In all cases eradication measures were applied.
Gien (Loiret, Centre region)
A. glabripennis was first discovered in France in 2003 (EPPO RS 2003/114) in an industrial area of Gien, probably introduced with wood packing material from China. In 2003, it was estimated that the outbreak was relatively old (high numbers of insects were found) and covering an area of less than 1 km radius. Over the years, results of the surveys were as follows:
- 2003 (initial finds): 202 larvae, 3 nymphs, 5 adults (still inside pupation chambers), and 30 attacked trees were destroyed.
- 2004: 12 beetles were caught, 10 attacked trees were destroyed.
- 2005: 2 beetles, 6 trees destroyed.
- 2006: 9 beetles, 13 trees destroyed.
- 2007: 0 beetles, 20 trees destroyed.
- 2008: 1 beetle, 6 trees (2 Acer, 4 Betula) destroyed (4 inspections were carried out in 2008).
St Anne-sur-Brivet (Loire-Atlantique, Pays de la Loire region)
Discovered in 2004, this second outbreak occurred in a rural environment, in the small city of St Anne-sur-Brivet (RS 2004/043). Similarly, it is suspected that the pest was introduced with imports of wood packing material from China. In 2004, it was estimated that the outbreak was relatively old (high numbers of insects were found) and covering an area within a radius of approximately 250 m. Survey results were as follows:
- 2004 (initial finds): 163 larvae, 4 eggs, and 77 attacked trees were destroyed.
- 2005: 5 beetles, 33 trees.
- 2006: 1 beetle (caught on the soil surface), 0 trees.
- 2007: 0 beetles, 0 trees.
- 2008: 0 beetles, 0 trees (19 inspections were carried out in 2008).
Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin, Alsace region)
In July 2008, 1 beetle was caught at the port of Strasbourg (along the Rhine river). It is suspected that the pest was introduced on wood packing material with imports of granite stones from China. Investigations showed that 2 poplar trees (Populus) were infested. These 2 isolated trees were growing along a wharf which had also been used for storage. During the destruction of the trees, 407 eggs, 206 living larvae, 3 nymphs and 2 dead beetles could be counted. One tree had a higher level of infestation (380 eggs, 198 larvae, 3 nymphs, 2 dead beetles) than the other (27 eggs, 8 larvae). In total, 6 exit holes were observed on the 2 trees. Observations made on the most severely attacked tree suggested that at least 2 generations had taken place before detection, and that the infestation probably started in 2003. Surveys will continue in 2009 and information is being circulated to the local authorities of Strasbourg, so that any suspicious symptoms found on city trees is notified to the NPPO.
Velars-sur-Ouche (Côte d’Or, Bourgogne region)
At the end of November 2008, 1 beetle was reported on a wood pallet imported from China, in the small city of Velars-sur-Ouche. Surveys will be carried out in 2009 on the storage site concerned and its vicinity, to verify whether this was a single incursion or a new outbreak.
To summarize the situation, it can be said that A. glabripennis still occurred in France in 2008 and that two new records were made at the end of the year (Strasbourg and Velars-sur-Ouche), although it was to early to consider the latest finding as an outbreak. The French NPPO considered that the phytosanitary measures which had been taken so far seemed to be adequate, because the outbreak in Gien was well contained (no spread observed) and at St Anne-sur-Brivet, no beetles or infested trees were detected during the last two years. Finally, considering the very low number of outbreaks of A. glabripennis in France, the type of environments in which they have been found, and the active surveillance which has been put into place, eradication of the pest is still considered as an achievable goal. Therefore, surveys and eradication efforts will continue in 2009.
The pest status of Anoplophora glabripennis in France is officially declared as: Present only in certain areas, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of France, 2009-01.