New outbreak of Anoplophora glabripennis in Switzerland
In Switzerland, the first outbreak of Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae – EPPO A1 List) was recorded in July 2012 in the municipality of Winterthur, canton of Zürich, and eradication measures were immediately taken (see EPPO RS 2013/049). It can be recalled that isolated findings of live and dead specimens had also been made in 2011 (EPPO RS 2011/189, 2011/239) in Brünisried (canton of Fribourg) and Salenstein (canton of Thurgau), respectively. In July 2014, a new outbreak was detected in the municipality of Marly (canton of Fribourg) in 2 different areas separated by a distance of 1.3 km. On 2014-07-09, adult beetles were incidentally noticed by two persons in the area called ‘les Rittes’. At this location, the NPPO then found 160 adult beetles and a large number of larvae and egg deposits. The pest was detected on 22 trees planted along a road near an industrial area, and on 4 trees in a private garden. On 2014-07-28, 1 adult beetle and several larvae were detected on 4 trees at the area called ‘le Publiet’ during the survey carried out to delimit the extent of the infestation found at ‘les Rittes’. In the municipality of Marly, A. glabripennis was found on the following tree species: Aesculus hippocastanum, Acer negundo, A. saccharum A. platanoides, A. campestre, A. pseudoplatanus, Betula spp., Corylus colurna, Fraxinus excelsior and Tilia spp. The identity of the pest was confirmed by experts of the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research using morphological and DNA based diagnostic methods. According to the extent of the outbreak and a first analysis of the infested trees, it is assumed that A. glabripennis was introduced in Marly at least 6 years ago.
The origin of this outbreak is unknown but it is noted that ‘les Rittes’ is located next to a former industrial area which was used for the storage of imported stones and where old wood packaging material showing exit holes similar to those of longhorn beetles had been found during the survey. However, the identity of the insects which had caused these exit holes could not be confirmed due to the poor quality of the DNA samples still available. A direct connection between the outbreaks of A. glabripennis in Marly (2014) and Brünisried (2011) seems to be very likely. The analysis of larvae and adult beetles from both sites confirmed that the two populations are genetically identical. In addition, trace-back studies revealed that during winter 2010/2011 firewood was transferred from Marly to Brünisried where adult beetles were subsequently captured in autumn 2011.
In the municipality of Marly, demarcated areas were established and all infested trees were destroyed. In the focus zone (radius of 100 m to 200 m around the infested trees) preventive felling of all main host trees has started and an extensive survey is being conducted in the buffer zone (radius of 500 m around the infested area). Tree climbers and sniffer dogs are involved in this survey. The movement of host plants out of the demarcated area is prohibited. The movement of wood and wood products is permitted only if wood has been reduced to particles (≤ 3 cm). In the demarcated area, control measures and a monitoring plan will be adapted according to the results of the current survey.
The pest status of Anoplophora glabripennis in Switzerland is officially declared as: Present, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Switzerland (2014-08).