First finding of Euwallacea fornicatus in Poland
Euwallacea fornicatus (EPPO A2 List) was found on a specimen of sacred fig (Ficus religiosa) in a palm house in Poznań (Poland) in October 2017. The first signs of the pest (frass and small tubes of compacted sawdust) were observed in March 2017. The infested tree was isolated under a net and fumigated. Over one thousand specimens of E. fornicatus were collected from the tree. The tree died from infection by Lasiodoplodia sp. It was then removed, chipped and burnt. Traps did not detect other insect specimens in the greenhouse. Other plants in the greenhouse were inspected by the Plant Protection Service and no other specimens or signs of the pest were found. Trace-back investigations showed that this F. religiosa had been imported in November 2016 via the Netherlands. The country of origin is not yet known.
The pest status of Euwallacea fornicatus in Poland can be described as: Absent, pest eradicated.
Sources
Witkowski R, Belka M, Mazur A (2018) First case of unintentional introduction of Euwallacea fornicatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) to Europe. Forest Research Open Access.
------- The paper was later withdrawn from Forest Research Open Access.
NPPO of Poland (2018-12).