Situation of Xylella fastidiosa in France
As of 2016-09-29, 302 outbreaks of Xylella fastidiosa (EPPO A1 List) have been recorded in France: 287 are located on the island of Corsica and 15 in Southern France (Alpes-Maritimes and Var departments). Since the first detection of the bacterium in July 2015 (EPPO RS 2015/144), 8 500 samples from Corsica have been tested and 8% were found to be positive. All positive samples have been collected from ornamental plants, and a majority from Polygala myrtifolia (64%). On the mainland, 1 500 samples have been collected and 3% were found to be positive. Similarly, the majority of positive samples have been collected from P. myrtifolia but also from Spartium junceum and Lavandula angustifolia. Additional molecular studies have been conducted by INRA and ANSES on positive samples which had been collected in 2015. Results showed that most isolates belonged to X. fastidiosa subsp. multiplex with the exception of a single outbreak located in Menton (Alpes-Maritimes) where X. fastidiosa subsp. pauca was identified. However, further surveys have been carried out in 2016 in Menton, and X. fastidiosa subsp. pauca could no longer be detected.
Sources
Anonymous (2016) Actus. Xylella fastidiosa. Phytoma no. 697, p 4.