Update on the situation of Anoplophora glabripennis in Lombardia region (IT)
In Italy, Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae – EPPO A1 List) was found for the first time in Lombardia region in June 2007 (EPPO RS 2007/166) and then in Veneto region (RS 2009/157, RS 2014/010). In both regions, it is subject to eradication measures. In Lombardia, A. glabripennis was first found in the municipality of Corbetta (Milano province) in a private garden on 1 Acer (maple) and 3 Betula (birch) trees. As this garden belonged to an industrial company assembling mechanical parts from China, it is suspected that wood packaging material from China has been the pathway of introduction. Surveys were immediately carried out in this area and no other infested plants were detected in 2008 and 2009. In March 2010, 2 Acer trees were found infested in the municipality of Vittuone (Milano province). In April 2010, all potential hosts (85 A. saccharinum, 5 Populus nigra and 7 Salix alba) were destroyed within a radius of 100 m around the infested trees. In 2011 and 2012, no infested trees were found. In 2013, 2 Acer trees were found to be infested in the municipality of Sedriano (province of Milano). It is suspected that the past activities of an industrial company (no longer operating) which handled wood packaging material were the likely source of this new outbreak. Eradication measures were implemented and included the destruction of all potential hosts (9 Acer trees) within a radius of 100 m around the infested trees.
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Note: the 3 outbreak areas are close to each other. The distance between the infested sites in Corbetta and Vittuone is approximately 900 m. The distance between the infested sites in Vittuone and Sedriano is approximately 2.5 km.
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2014-01).