Update on the situation of Aromia bungii in Italy
In Italy, Aromia bungii (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae – EPPO A2 List) was first found in Campania region in 2012 (EPPO RS 2012/204) and in Lombardia region in 2013 (RS 2013/187), Lazio region in 2020 (RS 2020/191) and Toscana region in 2023 (RS 2024/126). Official measures have been applied according to Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1503, aiming at containment in Campania and Lombardia and eradication in Lazio and Toscana (RS 2021/035, RS 2022/210, RS 2024/126). The NPPO of Italy provided the EPPO Secretariat with an update of the situation following surveys in 2023 and 2024.
- Campania
Following surveys in 2023, A. bungii was found for the first time on 7 infested Prunus sp. plants in the municipality of Ischia and infestations were found on Prunus sp. plants in the buffer zones of infested zones in Arzano and Portici municipalities. The infested areas were updated and all infested plants were felled and destroyed.
During the surveys in 2024, further infested Prunus sp. trees were found in previously pest free areas between three existing outbreaks in the municipalities of Napoli, Castel Volturno and Salerno. As a result, the demarcated area for all three outbreaks has been merged. Containment measures have been applied according to Decision (EU) 2018/1503.
- Lombardia
A. bungii was first found in Lombardia in the province of Milano in 2013 (RS 2013/187) and in May 2019 containment measures were enacted according to Regulation (EU) 2018/1503. More than 22 000 plants were monitored in each year from 2022-2024. The total number of infested plants was 26 in 2022, 10 in 2023 and 12 in 2024. From December 2022 the aim of the phytosanitary measures was changed from containment to eradication. Following surveys in 2024, the infested area was again reduced to 189 ha. Eradication measures according to Regulation (EU) 2018/1503 are ongoing.
A map for the infested area in Lombardia can be accessed here: https://www.geoportale.regione.lombardia.it/
- Lazio
A. bungii was first found in private gardens in the municipality of Civitavecchia in 2020 and eradication measures were applied (RS 2020/191). Intensive surveys in 2021 and 2022 found no further infestations (RS 2021/035, RS 2022/210). In June 2023, an adult specimen of A. bungii was caught in a private garden in the buffer zone of the original infestation alongside a plum tree (P. domestica) showing signs of A. bungii infestation. An almond tree (P. dulcis) with signs of A. bungii infestation was found on a private property near the insect finding. Molecular testing confirmed the presence of A. bungii on both symptomatic trees. The infested area has been increased, and the two symptomatic trees and four nearby Prunus sp. trees were felled. Eradication measures are ongoing.
- Toscana
A. bungii was first found in the municipality of Rosignano Marittimo (Livorno province) in 2023 and surveys delimited an infested area covering 54.94 ha (RS 2024/126). During surveys in 2024, further 221 Prunus sp. plants were found to be infested and as of June 2025 the infested area has been increased to 118 ha Eradication measures are ongoing.
A map for the infested area in Toscana can be accessed here: https://fitosirt.regione.toscana.it/mod_fitosirt_cartopublic_new
The pest status of Aromia bungii in Italy is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, under eradication, under containment in case eradication is impossible.
Sources
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) http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2018/1503/oj
NPPO of Italy (2023-02, 2023-08, 2024-02, 2024-12, 2025-02, 2025-06).
Regione Campania (2025) Cerambicide delle Drupacee - Aromia bungii https://agricoltura.regione.campania.it/difesa/aromia.html
Giunta Regionale della Campania (2024) Decreto Dirigenziale NO 205 of 22/11/2024. Aggiornamento delimitazione focolaio "Aromia bungii" in Campania. Fusione focolaio di Castel Volturno (CE) con quello di Napoli. Available at: https://agricoltura.regione.campania.it/difesa/files/DRD_205-22-11-24.pdf