Incursion of Ips cembrae in Ireland
The NPPO of Ireland recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first record of Ips cembrae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae – EU Annexes) on its territory. Ireland has a protected zone status for this pest. The beetle has never been found or intercepted before in Ireland.
Three Ips cembrae beetles were intercepted in a Theysohn trap at a Border Control Post in the municipality of Carrigaline (county of Cork, South-Western Ireland) at the end of July 2024. The finding is suspected to be linked to the recent import through this port of untreated conifer logs with bark attached.
Since the 3 specimens were caught, intensive surveillance of host trees in the vicinity of the port and wider trap checks are being carried out. There have been no further findings of I. cembrae. No demarcated area has been established.
The pest status of Ips cembrae in Ireland is officially declared as: Absent, intercepted only.
Sources
NPPO of Ireland (2024-08).