Update on the situation of Anoplophora glabripennis in France
In France Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae – EPPO A1 List) was first found in 2003 in Gien (Centre-Val de Loire region) (see EPPO RS 2003/114). Since then 4 other outbreaks were found in different parts of France; 2 of them have been successfully eradicated (Strasbourg and Sainte-Anne-sur-Brivet) and eradication measures following EU Decision 2015/893 are being applied in 3 remaining locations (EPPO RS 2009/045, 2010/125, 2013/139, 2017/005, 2019/233). An update on these outbreaks since October 2019 is provided below.
- In the outbreak of Gien (Loiret department, Centre-Val de Loire region), surveys detected 13 infested trees (10 Acer spp., 2 Populus spp. and 1 Betula spp.) in 2019. The demarcated area covers 42 km2 in the municipalities of Gien, Nevoy, Poilly-lez-Gien, Saint-Martin-sur-Ocre and Saint-Gondon. All infested trees were felled and destroyed. Preventative felling of host trees (as specified in EU Decision 2015/893) in an area of 100 m around the infested trees was partially done. Some host trees in this area have not been felled (‘derogatory trees’), because of their high cultural, social or environmental value but are being intensively monitored. An awareness campaign is also being conducted.
- In Corsica, A. glabripennis was first detected in the department of Haute-Corse (Corse region) in 2013 (RS 2013/139). Official surveys are conducted annually in the municipalities of Furiani, Bastia and Biguglia. No infested trees were detected in 2020, for the third consecutive year. Derogatory trees are being intensively monitored.
- In Divonne-les-bains (Ain department, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region), the pest was first found in 2016 (RS 2017/005). In 2019 a total of 9 infested trees (5 Acer, 2 Salix and 2 Aesculus) were detected (1 being found in November 2019), which led to the extension of the delimited zone partly located in Switzerland. All the infested trees were destroyed and preventing felling of host plants in an area of 100 m around the infested trees was partially done. Derogatory trees are being intensively monitored.
The pest status in France is officially declared as: Transient (only in 3 locations), actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of France (2020-10).
EU (2015) Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/893 of 9 June 2015 as regards measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Union of Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky). OJL 146, 16–28. http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2015/893/oj
A map of the demarcated area around Gien is available at http://draaf.centre-val-de-loire.agriculture.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/Annexe1_AP2020_VF_cle08244c.pdf