Incursion of Anoplophora chinensis in Switzerland
The NPPO of Switzerland recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the finding of a single adult of Anoplophora chinensis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae – EPPO A1 List) on its territory. On 2014-08-20, the beetle was incidentally found by children playing in a private garden located in Sirnach (canton Thurgau). The identity of the pest (A. chinensis adult female) was confirmed by the WSL Institute (Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research) on the basis of its morphological characteristics and further molecular analysis is underway. The origin of this incursion remains unknown but it is noted that the private garden concerned was located near a registered plant nursery. A demarcated area has been delimited, including the place of finding, the plant nursery, and their surroundings. On 2014-08-21, the garden and its immediate vicinity were visually inspected with the assistance of 2 sniffer dogs. Later in August 2014, all potential host plants of the nursery were inspected. In addition, sniffer dogs were used to examine all Acer spp. plants, and any plant indicated as suspicious by the dogs was then destructively sampled. So far, no exit holes or insect specimens have been found.
The pest status of Anoplophora chinensis in Switzerland is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under surveillance.
Sources
NPPO of Switzerland (2014-09).