Rhynchophorus ferrugineus found in Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
Until now, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae – EPPO Alert List) was only reported in Spain in the coastal area near Grenada, in Andalucía (see EPPO RS 96/096), but, in February 2004, its presence in the Comunidad Valenciana was officially reported. In this region, very valuable palm groves are located (Elche, Orihuela, Alicante). Official phytosanitary measures are being taken to eradicate the pest, and they include: destruction of all infested palm trees and those growing in their immediate vicinity (with compensation for the owners), intensive surveys with pheromone and kairomone traps, delimitation of a focus zone of 5 km radius around each finding with a buffer zone of 10 km radius, and restrictions on the movement of palm material. The situation of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Spain can be described as follows: Present, found in limited areas in Andalucía and Comunidad Valenciana, under official control.
Sources
Orden de 24 de febrero de 2004, de la Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, por la cual se declara la existencia oficial de la plaga Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier, 1790) en la Comunidad Valenciana, se califica de utilidad pública la lucha contra el género Rhynchophorus spp. y se establecen las medidas obligatorias para su erradicación y control.
Diari Oficial de la Generalitat Valenciana, no. 4.707, 2004-03-08, pp5149-5156. http://www.pre.gva.es/dogvimg/2004_03/pdf/4707.pdf