First official report of Xyleborus affinis in France
The NPPO of France recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first official report of Xyleborus affinis (Coleoptera: Scolytinae - EU annexes as ‘Scolytinae spp. (non-European)’) on its territory. Two adults were detected on lumber wood of sipo (Entandrophragma candollei) from Congo and sappeli (Entandrophragma cylindricum) from the Central African Republic during an official survey in a sawmill in the Pays de la Loire region. Phytosanitary measures have been taken and surveillance will be reinforced in the vicinity of the sawmill. The NPPO noted that X. affinis had already been intercepted in Normandy at the end of 2020 on iroko wood (Milicia sp.) originating from the Central African Republic and was also trapped in 2016 in the port of La Rochelle (EPPO RS 2021/156).
The pest status of Xyleborus affinis in France is officially declared as: Absent, intercepted only.
Sources
NPPO of France (2022-04).