Dryocosmus kuriphilus found in Ile-de-France region (FR)
The NPPO of France recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Dryocosmus kuriphilus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae – EPPO A2 List) in the Ile-de-France region. In May and June 2012, members of the general public reported the presence of numerous galls on chestnut trees (Castanea spp.) in gardens and forest stands (7 sites in total, in the departments of Essonne, Yvelines, and Val-d’Oise). Samples were collected from 2 sites and sent to the official laboratory which confirmed the identity of the pest. On these samples, only larvae and pupae were found and no exit holes were observed on the galls. Investigations carried out in forest stands showed that the severity of infestation varied from low to 10 % of infested trees (with 10% of the leaves being infested). Surveys are being carried out in all new forest plantations, as well as in all nurseries and gardens centres of Ile-de-France. No further records were made. The origin of this infestation is unknown. Phytosanitary measures will be taken in accordance with the EU Commission Decision 2006/464/EC. Until now, D. kuriphilus has been found in the following regions of France: Aquitaine (Dordogne, Gironde), Corse (Haute-Corse), Centre (Indre-et-Loire), Ile-de-France (Essonne, Yvelines, and Val-d’Oise), Languedoc-Roussillon (Hérault), Midi-Pyrénées (Lot), Rhône-Alpes (Ain, Ardèche, Drôme, Haute-Savoie, Savoie), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (Alpes-Maritimes, Rhône, Var).
The pest status of Dryocosmus kuriphilus in France is officially declared as: Present, restricted distribution.
Sources
NPPO of France (2012-06).