New outbreaks of Dryocosmus kuriphilus in France
Since the first discovery of Dryocosmus kuriphilus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae - EPPO A2 List) in 2007 in the department of Alpes-Maritimes, several outbreaks have been detected in France. In July 2011, the NPPO of France informed the EPPO Secretariat that new outbreaks were detected in the departments of Dordogne, Gironde, Hérault, Indre-et-Loire, and Lot. Considering the extent of these outbreaks, eradication is no longer considered achievable but it is planned to use biological control methods (i.e. release of the parasitoid Torymus sinensis). In all cases, phytosanitary measures are being taken to prevent any further spread of the pest in accordance with the EU emergency measures. In in particular, the movement of chestnut planting material from the demarcated zones is prohibited.
The situation of Dryocosmus kuriphilus in France can be described as follows: Present, found in the following regions: Aquitaine (Dordogne, Gironde), Corse (Haute-Corse), Centre (Indre-et-Loire), Languedoc-Roussillon (Hérault), Midi-Pyrénées (Lot), Rhône-Alpes (Ain, Ardèche, Drôme, Haute-Savoie, Savoie), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (Alpes-Maritimes, Rhône, Var); under official control.
Sources
NPPO of France (2011-07).
Commission Decision 2006/464/EC of 27 June 2006 on provisional emergency measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Community of Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu. http://www.eppo.org/ABOUT_EPPO/EPPO_MEMBERS/phytoreg/eu_texts/2006-464-EC-e.pdf