Update on the situation of Aromia bungii in Italy and record of Prunus laurocerasus as a new host plant
In Italy, Aromia bungii (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae – EPPO A1 List) was first found in Campania region (province of Napoli) in 2012 (EPPO RS 2012/204) and in 2018 on the island of Procida (province of Napoli). It was also detected in 2013 in Lombardia region (RS 2013/187) and in 2020 in Lazio region (RS 2020/191). Official measures are applied, aiming at containment in Campania and Lombardia, and at eradication in Lazio (RS 2021/035). The NPPO of Italy provided an update of the situation following the surveys in 2021.
Campania
In the area of Napoli, a demarcated area with a 4 km buffer zone has been established. In 2021 in total 298 Prunus plants were found to be infested in the infested zones (45 sites). Some infested plants were also found in the buffer zone in the municipality of Somma Vesuviana, a few hundred metres from the boundary of the infested zone. The demarcated area has been updated accordingly. A map of the demarcated area is available in the regional decree n°56 of 31/03/2022.
In October 2021, as part of the official monitoring activities, larvae of A. bungii were found for the first time in Prunus laurocerasus trees within the infested area. This finding was confirmed by PCR analysis of the larvae. P. laurocerasus was the only Prunus species excluded from the plants to be surveyed by the EU Decision 2018/1503. The regional decree now includes P. laurocerarus in the species to be monitored.
In July 2021, larvae of A. bungii were found in apricot trees (Prunus armeniaca) located in the urban area of Castel Volturno, as well as an adult specimen. The outbreak is about 20 km from the northern limit of the Napoli outbreak. Surveys were conducted and 5 Prunus plants in total were found infested, located in 4 private gardens. Eradication measures are applied in the demarcated area.
Lazio
A. bungii was first found in Lazio in the municipality of Civitavecchia in June 2020 in two apricot trees. Eradication measures were applied. In 2021, as in 2020, intensive surveys were conducted in the demarcated area, but no infested plants were detected.
Lombardia
A demarcated area with a 4 km buffer zone has been established. Official surveys are conducted, with 14 615 plants monitored in 2019 (38 found infested), 10 200 in 2020 (36 infested), 19 511 in 2021 (37 infested) The infested plants were located in the municipalities of Bareggio, Sedriano, Vittuone, Corbetta, Cornaredo and Cisliano. In 2021, 125 plants have been cut down, including all infested plants and specified plants within a radius of 100 m around infested plants.
The pest status of Aromia bungii in Italy is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, under eradication or under containment, in case eradication is impossible.
Sources
EU (2018) Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1503 of 8 October 2018 establishing measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Union of Aromia bungii (Faldermann). OJL 254, 9-18.
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2018/1503/oj
NPPO of Italy (2022-04).
Giunta Regionale della Campania (2022) Decreto Dirigenziale n°56 of 31/03/2022. Aggiornamento delimitazione del focolaio n° 1 (Napoli) di Aromia bungii - Allegato A e Allegato B. Inserimento del Prunus laurocerasus tra le specie da monitorare. http://www.agricoltura.regione.campania.it/difesa/files/DRD_56-31-03-22.pdf
Servizio Fitosanitario Regionale. Cerambicide delle Drupacee - Aromia bungii. http://www.agricoltura.regione.campania.it/difesa/aromia.html