Update of the situation of Xylella fastidiosa in Italy
This is an update of the situation of Xylella fastidiosa (EPPO A2 List) in Italy since the end of 2018 (EPPO RS 2019/016). Official surveillance is conducted according to the statistical approach Ribess+ and control measures are applied according to EU Regulation 2020/1201 with the aim to contain the disease in part of Puglia and eradicate it in other regions.
- Puglia
Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca was first found near Salento (province of Lecce) in 2013 (RS 2013/184). A containment strategy has been applied in the demarcated area since 2018. It now includes the whole provinces of Lecce and Brindisi, and part of the provinces of Taranto and Bari. The 2021 monitoring campaign was carried out from May 2021 to February 2022 in the buffer zone and in the first 5 km of the infected zone (‘containment zone’). In total, 105 infected plants were detected (including 17 in the buffer zone). Official measures were applied. As the infected plants in the buffer zone were very close to the infected area, it was not necessary to change the outer limit of the buffer zone.
Two outbreaks were detected in the province of Bari, and eradication measures are applied: in Polignano a Mare in December 2020, and in Alberobello in December 2021.
An outbreak in Canosa di Puglia (province of Barletta-Andria-Trani) detected in December 2020 was declared eradicated in January 2022.
- Toscana
Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex was first detected in Toscana in 2018 (RS 2019/016) in the municipality of Monte Argentario, and later in the municipality of Orbetello. Monitoring is conducted in the demarcated area. In 2021, 2918 samples were taken, and 111 plants were found to be infected.
- Lazio
Xylella fastidiosa (subsp. not specified) was found in a lot of Vinca major in a nursery (indoors) located near the city of Rome in October 2019. The entire lot was destroyed, and intensive monitoring for two years did not detect other infected plants or insect vectors. This outbreak is considered eradicated.
Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex was first detected in an almond tree (Prunus dulcis) located in the municipality of Canino in November 2021. A demarcated area with a buffer zone of 2.5 km was officially established and eradication measures taken. The infected tree and 3 other Prunus sp. trees were destroyed. 654 samples were taken from olive and almond trees and from the natural present in the first 400 m of the buffer zone. All tested samples gave negative results. Monitoring is underway in the remaining portion of the buffer zone. There are no nurseries in the demarcated area.
The pest status of Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca in Italy is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, under eradication, under containment in case eradication is impossible.
The pest status of Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex in Italy is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, under eradication, under containment in case eradication is impossible.
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2022-11, 2022-05).
Internet: www.emergenzaxylella.it (including details on monitoring and maps of demarcated areas)
EU (2020) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1201 of 14 August 2020 as regards measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Union of Xylella fastidiosa (Wells et al.) http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2020/1201/2021-12-23