Update on the situation of Agrilus planipennis in Ukraine
The NPPO of Ukraine recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the current situation of Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae - EPPO A2 List) on its territory. After the first detection of A. planipennis in the area of Starokozhiv (Markivske forest, Luhansk region), phytosanitary measures were immediately taken on an area of 5 ha to eradicate the pest (EPPO RS 2019/202). As a result, the first outbreak of A. planipennis in Luhansk region was eradicated in October 2019.
Additional monitoring surveys were conducted in adjacent territories, and 2 small outbreaks of A. planipennis (covering a total area of 8.3 ha) were found at the end of 2019. Eradication measures were taken and during March and April 2020, all infested trees were destroyed (cut at the base of the trunk, milled and burnt). An area of 13.3 ha has been delimited and subjected to quarantine measures. Surveys for A. planipennis will be conducted in this area and its surroundings during 2020. The NPPO also noted that official surveys carried out in 2019 in other regions of Ukraine did not detect the pest. In 2020, specific surveys for A. planipennis using pheromone traps and visual inspections will be carried out in ash tree plantations in all regions of Ukraine.
The pest status of Agrilus planipennis in Ukraine is officially declared as: Transient: subject to official control; several outbreaks have been detected in one area; appropriate phytosanitary measures have been applied for its eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Ukraine (2020-04).