Anoplophora malasiaca found for the first time in Italy
In Italy, during a survey carried out in spring 2000, in the city of Parabiago (at the border between the provinces of Milano and Barese, Lombardia), large exit holes caused by xylophagous insects were observed on the trunks of maple (Acer) and beech (Fagus) trees. Later, a few adult cerambycids (males and females) were collected and identified as Anoplophora malasiaca (EPPO A1 quarantine pest). One male was collected on the 8th June 2000, 2 males and 1 female on the 6th July 2000, one male on the 20th July 2000. It was later discovered that 1 male had already been collected in the same area on the 2nd June 1997 by a student and included in an insect collection. Damage caused by the adults (partial bark removal on small apical branches) was seen on Acer in the area where insects were collected. This is the first report of Anoplophora malasiaca in Italy and in Europe on natural vegetation. The pest had previously been intercepted in the Netherlands on bonsai plants from Asia. In this paper, there are no indications on the possible origin of this introduction, however it is stated that surveys were carried out on the premises of neighbouring companies which import plants from foreign countries, and in particular bonsais from Asia.
The situation of A. malasiaca in Italy can be described as follows: Present: a few adults found near Parabiago, Lombardia.
Sources
Colombo, M.; Limonta, L. (2001) Anoplophora malasiaca Thomson (Coleoptera Cerambycidae Lamiinae Lamiini) in Europe. Bollettino di Zoologia Agraria e di Bachicoltura, Series II, 33(1), 65-68.