First outbreak of Anoplophora glabripennis in the United Kingdom
The NPPO of the United Kingdom recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first outbreak of Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae – EPPO A1 List) on its territory. The pest was found in March 2012 near the town of Paddock Wood in Kent, southeast England. Although the pest had previously been intercepted, with occasional finds of isolated beetles (EPPO RS 2010/124), this is the first time that an outbreak is detected in the UK. The outbreak was discovered during a routine annual survey of a site where a single adult of A. glabripennis had been found in 2009. Although no confirmed link has been established, the site was close to an importer of stone from China and the wood packaging used in the transport of the stone was suspected as the source of this initial finding. During the annual survey, scientists from Forest Research noticed suspicious marks on a Salix caprea tree growing in a hedgerow close to agricultural land. Larvae were collected from this tree and identified as A. glabripennis (morphological characteristics and DNA sequencing). The extent of the outbreak is currently being investigated but at least 20 other trees have been confirmed to be infested, including Acer campestre, Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula pendula, and Salix fragilis. Eradication measures are being applied. All infested trees are being removed, along with other trees of the same species within a radius of 100 m. The two nurseries which are located within a radius of 2 km from the outbreak site have been placed under movement restrictions.
The pest status of Anoplophora glabripennis in the United Kingdom is officially declared as: Present in one location (under eradication).
Sources
NPPO of the United Kingdom (2012-04).