Further details on the situation of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Northern Italy in 2007
In addition to the occurrences of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae – EPPO A2 List) reported in Southern and Central Italy, more specimens were caught after August 2007 in Northern Italy. Adults were trapped at 1 site in the Liguria region (1 site at Bordighera – province of Imperia). In total, 7 adults were caught in the framework of a regional monitoring activity carried out by the Centro Regionale di Sperimentazione ed Assistenza Agricola (CERSAA – Albenga, province of Savona) and the regional Plant Protection Service of Liguria (Servizio Fitosanitario - Regione Liguria). The identity of the insects caught was confirmed by the University of Torino (Di.Va.P.R.A. – Entomologia). In November 2007, infested palm trees (Phoenix canariensis) in urban public parks were cut and destroyed. Surveys are being carried out in Liguria, and the monitoring network is currently constituted of 32 trapping sites located in Ventimiglia (province of Imperia), Bordighera (province of Imperia), Imperia, Alassio (province of Savona), Finale Ligure (province of Savona), Varazze (province of Savona), Arenzano (province of Genova), Genova, Moneglia (province of Genova), Sestri Levante (province of Genova) and La Spezia.
Sources
Personal communication with Centro Regionale di Sperimentazione ed Assistenza Agricola (CERSAA – Albenga, Savona, IT), 2008-04.