Update on the situation of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in France
The pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (EPPO A2 List) was first reported in France in November 2025 in the municipality of Seignosse (Landes department, Nouvelle-Aquitaine region) (EPPO RS 2025/263). In 2026, it was detected in the neighbouring municipality of Angresse in March 2026 (RS 2026/067), and about 60 km away in Lescar (Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, Nouvelle-Aquitaine region) in July (RS 2026/191). Official measures are being applied to monitor the pest, and eradicate the outbreaks.
As a result of surveillance, new detections occurred in Nouvelle-Aquitaine:
- in Orthevielle (Landes department) at the end of August, close to the first outbreak in Seignosse.
- near Lescar, 4 new detections occurred on declining Pinus trees reported by individuals in the municipalities of Artix (2 trees), Lons, and Mourenx. As a consequence, four new infested areas of a radius of 500 m have been delimited with surroundings buffer zones
The two delimited areas have been extended accordingly:
- in the area of Seignosse, the delimited area now covers 170 000 ha in the Landes and Pyrénées-Atlantiques departments.
- in the area of Lescar, the delimited area now covers 216 332 ha in the Landes and Pyrénées-Atlantiques departments.
The pest status of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in France is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of France (2026-09).
Maps of regulated areas are available: https://www.pigma.org/onegeo-maps/