Anoplophora glabripennis found for the first time in Marche region, Italy
At the beginning of August 2013, an outbreak of Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae – EPPO A1 List) was discovered for the first time in Marche region (Italy). In the municipality of Grottazzolina (Fermo province), a technician reported the presence of suspicious symptoms on a maple tree (Acer sp.) in a private garden. Preliminary investigations then showed that 4 maple trees planted in private gardens were infested. Branch dieback, exit holes and oviposition pits were observed on these infested trees. The identity the pest was determined by the laboratory of the regional plant protection service on the basis of the insect morphological characteristics. The origin of this outbreak has not yet been identified but investigations are on-going. Intensive surveys have also been initiated in the area concerned, and an infested area of approximately 1 km² together with a 1 km radius buffer zone have been demarcated. Official control measures have been implemented and include: felling of all infested trees and destruction by chipping, obligation to report any suspicious symptoms to the regional plant protection service, prohibition to plant new susceptible hosts and to move host plants outside the demarcated area.
The pest status of Anoplophora glabripennis in Marche region is officially declared as: Present, under statutory eradication measures.
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2013-08).