First report of Xylella fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa in Italy
The NPPO of Italy recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first finding of Xylella fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa on its territory, in the municipality of Triggiano (province of Bari, region of Puglia). Triggiano is located outside of the area currently demarcated for Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca.
As part of the official surveys for Xylella fastidiosa (EPPO A2 List) in Italy, specific surveys were conducted on vectors of the bacterium. In October 2023, a specimen of Philaenus spumarius captured in the Triggiano area tested positive for Xylella fastidiosa. In January 2024, a survey was carried out to detect possibly infected plants: 432 host plant samples were taken. From these samples 6 almond trees (Prunus dulcis) were found to be infected by Xylella fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa. A demarcated area has been established, it consists of infected areas (50 m radius around each infected plant) and a buffer zone (2.5 km radius around the infected areas)
The pest status of Xylella fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa in Italy is officially declared as: Present.
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2024-02).
Normativa regionale Determinazione del Dirigente Sezione Osservatorio Fitosanitario 21 febbraio 2024, n. 8. Individuazione di focolai di Xylella fastidiosa sottospecie fastidiosa in agro di Triggiano (BA) Delimitazione dell'area delimitata ai sensi dell'art. 4 del Reg. UE 2020/1201. http://www.emergenzaxylella.it/