First report of Brenneria goodwinii and Gibbsiella quercinecans in Latvia
In Latvia, Brenneria goodwinii and Gibbsiella quercinecans were detected for the first time in 2018 in several forest sites on oak trees (Quercus robur). These bacteria have been associated with acute oak decline, a syndrome which was observed in the United Kingdom in the 1980s and more recently in Switzerland (EPPO RS 2018/104). In Latvia, affected oak trees showed dark exudates on the trunks and wilting symptoms. B. goodwinii and G. quercinecans were detected in the following sites on:
- 4 oak trees in the municipality of Talsu novads (Kurzeme region) in a private forest and in a nature conservation area (‘Talsu pauguraine’). In the nature conservation area, signs of the presence of Agrilus biguttatus (a possible vector) were observed.
- 3 oak trees in the municipality of Aizputes novads (2 trees in the parish of Kazdanga and 1 tree in the parish of Cirava - Kurzeme region).
Research on acute oak decline will be conducted in Latvia, as well as monitoring Q. robur trees in forests.
The pest status of Brenneria goodwinii and Gibbsiella quercinecans in Latvia is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned.
Sources
NPPO of Latvia (2018-06).