First report of Ips typographus in the United Kingdom
The NPPO of the United Kingdom recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Ips typographus (EU Annexes) on its territory. In November 2018, several beetles were caught in a Pinus sylvestris billet trap, located in a forestry site in Kent (South-eastern England). This trap was part of a protected zone monitoring network. Maternal galleries and associated adults were subsequently found in Picea abies in the surrounding woodland. It is estimated that this infestation has been present for 2 to 3 years, and it is believed to be at low levels. Eradication measures are being taken, including the felling and sampling of suspected infested trees and local movement restrictions on P. abies. An intensive survey is being carried out around infested trees within a radius of 1 km, as well as an extensive survey within a 50 km radius.
The pest status of Ips typographus in the United Kingdom is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of the United Kingdom (2018-12).