Update on the situation of Xylosandrus crassiusculus in Slovenia
In Slovenia, Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae - formerly EPPO Alert List) was first trapped in 2017 in the municipality of Brda (Western Slovenia). In 2018 and 2019, surveys were conducted and the insect was trapped again in the same area, but no infested plants could be found. The NPPO of Slovenia informed the EPPO Secretariat that in August 2021, X. crassiusculus was found for the first time in plants in two locations near Brda. The insect was detected on several plants of Diospyros kaki in an intensive orchard in Snežatno, and the grower was advised to place alcohol traps at appropriate times to reduce the beetle population. X. crassiusculus was also incidentally detected in one Ulmus minor tree in a forest in Podsabotin. The infested tree was removed and no other infested plants were found in its vicinity.
The pest status of Xylosandrus crassiusculus in Slovenia is officially declared as: Present, only in some areas.
Sources
NPPO of Slovenia (2021-09).