Eradication of Anthonomus eugenii in Italy
Anthonomus eugenii (Coleoptera: Curculionidae – EPPO A1 List) was first recorded in Italy in November 2013 in Capsicum annuum crops in Lazio region (EPPO RS 2014/009). An intensive delimiting survey was carried out by visual inspections on crops, fruit wastes and host weeds and a demarcated area including an infested zone of 115 km2 and a buffer zone was officially established. Severe damage to Capsicum fruit production was observed, but A. eugenii was not recorded on other solanaceous species such as aubergine (Solanum melongena). Emergency measures were implemented in the demarcated area to eradicate the pest, and surveys were conducted in other areas growing Capsicum to verify the absence of the pest. These measures included a prohibition to grow Capsicum spp. During the official annual surveys carried out through visual inspections and pheromone traps, the pest was found in the infested area in 2014, 2015 and 2016 but never in the buffer zone. Since 2016, the pest has not been found in the demarcated area. Therefore, the NPPO considered that A. eugenii has been successfully eradicated from Italy.
The pest status of Anthonomus eugenii in Italy is officially declared as: Absent, pest eradicated.
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2020-05).