First report of Cnestus mutilatus in Austria
Cnestus mutilatus (Coleoptera: Scolytinae – regulated by the EU as ‘non-European Scolytinae’) is an ambrosia beetle native to Asia. It has been found in the EPPO region in the Russian Far East and is considered established in Italy (EPPO RS 2022/147). It was recently found in Slovenia (RS 2025/175) and Croatia (RS 2025/176) although not recorded as causing damage on trees.
The NPPO of Austria recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first detection of C. mutilatus on its territory. In July 2025, the pest was caught in a trap in the municipality of Straß in der Steiermark (Steiermak) near the border to Slovenia. No infested plants were found. Further investigations are ongoing.
The pest status of Cnestus mutilatus in Austria is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under surveillance.
Sources
NPPO of Austria (2025-09).