First report of Xylosandrus crassiusculus in Slovenia
In August 2017, Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Coleoptera, Scolytidae - EPPO Alert List) was detected for the first time in Slovenia in the municipality of Brda, close to the Italian border. In total, 121 beetles were trapped at one location in a single trap. This trap was part of an official survey for another pest (Pityophthorus juglandis, vector of Geosmithia morbida the thousand cankers disease), and was placed at the edge of a deciduous forest and near a vineyard. A survey within a radius of 100 m around the trapping site was carried out, but no infested plants or signs of X. crassiusculus have been observed. Surveys will be intensified and enlarged around the initial trapping site to detect possible signs of the pest. Additional traps with ethanol will also be placed in the surroundings to detect X. crassiusculus.
The pest status of Xylosandrus crassiusculus in Slovenia is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under surveillance.
Sources
NPPO of Slovenia (2017-08).