Eradication measures against Anoplophora glabripennis in Italy
In June 2007, Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae – EPPO A2 List) was found for the first time in Italy (EPPO RS 2007/166). An adult was discovered during a survey for the other species (A. chinensis) in Lombardia in the garden of a private company located at Corbetta (province of Milano). It is thought that the insect had been introduced with a wood pallet from China. An infested zone and a buffer zone (500 m radius around the infested area) were delimited, and the following phytosanitary measures were implemented with the aim of eradicating the pest. In the infested zone all susceptible trees growing in public and private areas were inspected, all infested trees were completely destroyed as well as potential host trees located within a radius of 500 m, plantation and movements of susceptible hosts outside the infested zone were prohibited, and movements of plant material (not previously chipped) outside the infested zone were also prohibited. In the buffer zone, specific inspections were carried out on all susceptible tree species. All nurseries which were located in the demarcated zones were compelled to apply chemical treatments on susceptible hosts (it must be noted that there was no nursery in the infested zone, only in the buffer zone). In 2007, following the discovery of the adult specimen, surveys showed that 1 sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) and 3 birches (Betula pendula) were infested. By April 2008, all of them had been completely destroyed. The demarcated area included two communes (Corbetta and Vittuone) and all potential host trees (i.e. 273 trees belonging to 4 genus: Acer, Betula, Populus and Salix) were removed, chipped and burned. In addition, after the destruction of the 4 infested trees, 6 sentinel trees (Acer pseudoplatanus) were placed in the garden where A. chinensis was originally detected. In 2008, no further insect specimens or signs of infestation were observed during surveys carried out in Lombardia (specific surveys and general surveillance).
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2009-01).