First record of Scyphophorus acupunctatus in France
In November 2007, dieback symptoms were observed in one agave plant (Agave americana) growing in a public park in Saint-Tropez, France. The pest was identified as Scyphophorus acupunctatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae – formerly EPPO Alert List). This is the first record of this pest in France. In Saint-Tropez, infested plants were destroyed and surveys will be carried out to determine the extent of the infestation. In the EPPO region, S. acupunctatus has occasionally been found on imported plants (Beaucarnea, Dasylirion and Yucca) grown under glasshouses in the Netherlands (EPPO RS 2002/046 ; 2003/014) and in Italy (EPPO RS 2002/046), but these incursions did not lead to its establishment. However in 2006/2007, the pest was found on outdoor plants in Sicilia, Italy (see EPPO RS 2008/179). For the moment, it is not known whether the pest has established in the EPPO region (i.e. in Sicilia or Southern France) but attention should be paid to this possible risk.
Sources
Germain JF, Ramel JM, Maury A, Blanchon F (2008) Premier signalement en France d’un coléoptère ravageur des agaves. PHM-Revue Horticole no. 505, 34-36.