Update of the situation of Toumeyella parvicornis in Italy
In Italy, the pine tortoise scale Toumeyella parvicornis (Hemiptera: Coccidae - EPPO A2 List) was first found in Campania region in 2014. It was subsequently found in 2018 in the city of Rome (Lazio region) (EPPO RS 2021/082), in one locality in Abruzzo and Puglia region in 2021 (RS 2021/191), in Toscana region in Firenze in 2022 (RS 2022/083), and Tirrenia (Pisa) in 2023 (RS 2024/128). The NPPO of Italy provided an update for some outbreaks, and first records for the Marche region. In each case an area is demarcated that includes an infested area of 500 m radius around the infested plants, and a buffer zone of a radius of 5 km around the infested area. Official measures are applied.
- Abruzzo
In 2024, T. parvicornis was found in five new Pinus pinea stands located in urban areas in the province of Pescara (municipalities of Pescara, Montesilvano and Spoltore), as well as in one stand in the province of Teramo (municipality of Pineto).
- Campania
As of March 2025, the demarcated area has been extended as a consequence of new findings. The pest is present in the five provinces of Campania. The main infested area covers 68 municipalities in the province of Napoli, 47 in Caserta, 37 in Salerno, 22 in Avellino, 10 in Benevento. In addition, isolated outbreaks have been found in Dragoni, Telese Terme, Benevento, Grottaminarda, Ispani and Camerota. Official measures aim to contain the pest.
- Lazio
The pest is present in the three of provinces of Lazio (Roma, Latina and Frosinone). In 2023 and 2024 the demarcated area had to be extended as a consequence of new findings. Infested areas have been demarcated in 26 municipalities in the province of Rome, ten in the province of Latina and two in the province of Frosinone Official measures aim to contain the pest.
- Marche
T. parvicornis was first found in 2024 in Marche region in the municipalities of Grottammare and Massignano (province of Ascoli Piceno) on some P. pinea in public areas and private gardens
- Toscana
The outbreak in Firenze is considered to be eradicated after surveys confirmed no further findings in 2022-2024.
The pest status of Toumeyella parvicornis in Italy is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, under containment, in case eradication is impossible.
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2025-02, 2025-04).
Decreto ministeriale 3 giugno 2021 - Misure fitosanitarie di emergenza ai fini del contrasto dell'organismo nocivo Toumeyella parvicornis (Cockerell) (Cocciniglia tartaruga). Gazzetta Ufficiale n.173 del 21-07-2021. http://www.agricoltura.regione.campania.it/difesa/files/DM-03-06-21.pdf
Maps of the demarcated areas are available
- Abruzzo; https://www.regione.abruzzo.it/content/ulteriori-rinvenimenti-dellorganismo-toumeyella-parvicornis
- Campania: https://agricoltura.regione.campania.it/difesa/toumeyella.html
- Lazio: https://www.regione.lazio.it/documenti/85438