Update on the situation of Anoplophora chinensis in Italy
In Italy, Anoplophora chinensis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae – EPPO A2 List) was first found in 2000 in Lombardia and later in other regions. All outbreaks have been subject to official measures. The pest is now only present in the regions of Lombardia and Toscana. The situation since the last update (EPPO RS 2019/235) is as follows:
Lombardia
In Lombardia, official measures aim to contain the pest. In the demarcated area, intensive monitoring is carried out by annual inspections on host plants specified in EU Decision 2012/138/EC and other potentially susceptible species.
- In the neighbouring provinces of Milano and Varese, several outbreaks took place and have been merged over the years. In areas close to being declared eradicated, surveys have been carried out twice a year. All infested plants are cut down before the next adult emergence period. With this approach, it has been possible to eradicate the pest in 4 municipalities in Milano province and 4 municipalities in Varese province. The number of infested plants is very low in many municipalities. During the 2019 survey, 803 plants were found to be infested within the infested area, and 4649 plants have been cut down. 52 adult specimens were caught in 24 traps (out of 66). Official inspections in 35 nurseries within the demarcated area did not detect the pest.
- In the province of Brescia, 3 outbreaks have been detected (respectively in the municipality of Montichiari in 2007, Gussago in 2008, Sirmione in 2016). In 2019, no infested plants were found in Sirmione, and no adults were caught in traps. In Gussago, 38 infested plants were found within the infested area (5 Acer, 1 Alnus, 4 Carpinus, 9 Corylus, 16 Ostrya, 2 Platanus, 1 Prunus laurocerasus) and 3 adults were trapped. In Montichiari, 2 infested plants were found within the infested area (1 Acer, 1 Aesculus) and 2 adults were trapped. Official inspections in 8 nurseries within the demarcated area did not detect the presence of the pest.
Toscana
- In Pistoia, intensive monitoring carried out in the demarcated area (concerning more than 11 000 plants in gardens and 250 000 plants in nurseries, and placing 87 pheromone traps) did not detect any new infestations or symptoms in 2019, as in 2018.
- In Prato, a new outbreak was found in July 2019. Intensive monitoring was carried out in the demarcated area through visual inspections and the use of specialized detection dogs (over 1200 trees and shrubs checked) did not detect the presence of the pest.
The pest status of Anoplophora chinensis in Italy is officially declared as: Present only in some parts of the Member State concerned, under containment, in case eradication is impossible.
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2020-02, 2020-04).
INTERNET
Regione Lombardia. Anoplophora chinensis: normativa e cartografia 2020. Regional decree for Lombardia n.1508 of 10 February 2020 (including a map of the different regulated areas). www.regione.lombardia