Updated situation of Anoplophora glabripennis in Zürich canton, Switzerland
In Switzerland the first outbreak of Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae – EPPO A1 List) was detected in July 2012 in the municipality of Winterthur, canton of Zürich (in 30 Acer pseudoplatanus planted along a city street and in 1 Salix caprea). All infested trees were destroyed (see EPPO RS 2013/049). During surveys which were conducted in 2013, no exit holes, adult beetles or eggs could be found, but 11 larvae (presumably hatched in 2012) were detected. The infested host trees belonged to the following species: Salix caprea (8), Acer campestre (2) and Betula pendula (1). These larvae were found on the basis of signs of pest activity and/or detected by sniffer dogs. Among non-suspicious trees subject to preventive felling, none of them was found infested.
A focus zone of 1.5 km² (radius of 200 m around each infested tree and overlapping areas then merged into a single focus zone) and a buffer zone of approximately 10 km² (radius of 2-2.5 km around the focus zone) have been demarcated. In the focus zone, all potential host plants have been mapped. As the infested area is located in the urban sector of Winterthur (most host plants are high value amenity trees), clear-cuts were not carried out systematically. Non-felled host trees, irrespectively of their location in the focus zone, were subject to at least 2 visual inspections (in April/June and September/November), by tree climbers, assisted by dog handlers with specifically trained sniffer dogs. In the buffer zone, surveillance was more intensive in an approximately 200 m wide strip surrounding the focus zone, whereas in the remaining parts of the buffer zone visual checks were concentrated on weakened and randomly selected healthy looking host trees. In addition, random checks were performed in the framework of other activities by municipal gardeners. Mandated tree climbers and dog handlers spent together more than 5900 hours performing inspections in 2013, and approximately 1000 man-hours were spent on felling actions (69 trees with a DBH (diameter at breast height) ≥16 cm and 81 trees with a DBH ; 16 cm). Measures for the safe use/disposal of wood, wood waste and debris were taken according to the Swiss surveillance and control guidelines for A. glabripennis, which are largely based on the EPPO Standard PM 9/15(1).
An information campaign was undertaken to raise the awareness of stakeholders (e.g. staff involved in parks and gardens maintenance) and of the general public. Information was provided by the municipality of Winterthur in the form of individual letters to each household in the demarcated area and local broad-cast. Signs were installed at strategic places in and along the boundary of the demarcated areas.
The pest status of Anoplophora glabripennis in Switzerland is officially declared as: Present, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Switzerland (2014-03).
Manuel de gestion du risque dû au capricorne asiatique (Anoplophora glabripennis) (in French and German).
EPPO (2013) EPPO Standard PM 9/15(1) Anoplophora glabripennis: procedures for official control. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/epp.12064/pdf