Results of the 2009 survey on Diabrotica virgifera virgifera in Italy
Official surveys carried out in Italy in 2009 showed that Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae - EPPO A2 List) is now present in most parts of the Po Valley with the addition of 1 outbreak near Roma (Lazio region). With the exception of this outbreak near Roma, all Italian regions located at the south of Emilia-Romagna are still free from D. virgifera virgifera. In 2009, the pest was caught in the following regions:
- Emilia-Romagna (Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia, Modena),
- Friuli-Venezia-Giulia (all provinces),
- Lazio (only in the province of Roma),
- Liguria (Savona),
- Lombardia (all provinces),
- Piemonte (all provinces),
- Trentino-Alto Adige (Bolzano, Trento),
- Veneto (all provinces).
It was noted that a moderate increase of the infested areas took place in Liguria and in the province of Bolzano (Trentino-Alto Adige region). In 2009, although the pest occurred on a larger area, it was estimated that visible damage was observed in 46 700 ha and that economic damage occurred only in 13 400 ha in the following regions: Piemonte (1 400 ha in the provinces of Novara, Vercelli, Torino), and Lombardia (12 000 ha in the provinces of Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Cremona, Lodi, Mantova, Milano, Monza/Bianza, Pavia). In Italy, the total area cultivated with maize was approximately 943 000 ha in 2009.
The situation of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera in Italy can be described as follows: Present, first found in 1998 near Venezia airport, now occurring in Northern Italy (Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Liguria, Lombardia, Piemonte, Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto) and in Lazio (1 outbreak). Under official control.
Sources
NPPO of Italy, 2009-12.