Isolated finding of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in Castilla y Léon (Spain)
The NPPO of Spain recently informed the EPPO Secretariat that Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (EPPO A2 List) has been detected in a single Pinus pinaster tree growing in a forest area in the municipality of Lagunilla (Salamanca province, Castilla y Léon). On 2018-04-25, samples were taken from this forest area from several trees showing decline symptoms which had been detected during helicopter flights carried out in March and April 2018. The nematode was detected in one P. pinaster tree (height of 10-15 m - trunk diameter of 25-30 cm) showing symptoms of discoloration at the tree top. The presence of Cerambycidae and Buprestidae was also observed. A sample of wood chips (150 g) was taken from the tree trunk using a drill with an auger of 20 mm diameter. In June 2018, the identity of the nematode was determined by the Regional Laboratory using morphological and molecular tests, and these results were confirmed in July 2018 by the National Reference Laboratory on Nematodes. In accordance with Decision 2012/535/EC, the affected tree was immediately destroyed, and a demarcated area of 20 km radius was delimited around the infested tree site. A surveillance programme of all susceptible host plants is ongoing with different degrees of intensity (0-100 m, 100-500 m, 500-3 000m, 3 000-20 000 m) around the infested tree site. Destruction of trees will be carried out within a radius of 100 m around the infested tree site at a later date in the season (in October, if it rains) to minimize the risk of attracting insect vectors and spreading the disease, as well as avoiding fire hazards (the site is located in a rocky area with high summer temperatures).
The pest status of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in Spain is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Spain (2018-07).