First record of Coccotrypes cardamomi in Denmark
The NPPO of Denmark recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first finding of Coccotrypes cardamomi (Coleoptera: Scolytinae, EU A1 Quarantine pest as ‘non-European Scolytinae’) on its territory.
During an inspection in a greenhouse in the municipality of Odense in January 2023, one Ficus microcarpa plant showing symptoms of Scolytinae infestation was found and the pest was identified as Coccotrypes cardamomi. The lot consisted of 4100 F. microcarpa plants imported from China. The infested plant was destroyed. No other infested plants were found after thorough inspection of the lot and eradication measures were initiated.
During additional inspections carried out at the end of May 2023 in a greenhouse in another part of this company, one F. microcarpa showing symptoms of Scolytinae infestation in a lot (3900 plants) imported from the same supplier in China was detected. The specimens found were confirmed as being C. cardamomi. The infested plant was destroyed. Thorough inspection of the production in the greenhouse revealed no further findings. It may be noted that another Coccotrypes species (C. cyperi) had been found in similar circumstances in September 2022 (EPPO RS 2022/234).
The pest status of Coccotrypes cardamomi in Denmark is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
__________
Note: very little information is available on C. cardamomi. It is present in Asia, from India and Sri Lanka to China, Japan, Borneo, and Seychelles and is usually considered as breeding in seeds of trees.
Sources
NPPO of Denmark (2023-06).