Situation of Anoplophora glabripennis in France
In France, two outbreaks of Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae – EPPO A1 List) were reported in 2003 and 2004, and both are currently under eradication.
The first outbreak was discovered in 2003 (see EPPO RS 2003/114) in an industrial area in Gien (Loiret department, Centre region). It is thought that the origin of this introduction was infested packing wood from China. The outbreak was relatively old and large (almost 1 km radius) and numerous insects were found (202 larvae, 3 nymphs, 5 adults in their pupal chambers). In 2004, 12 adults were caught and 10 infested trees were found and destroyed. In 2005, 2 adults were caught and 6 trees destroyed. In 2006, 9 adults were caught and 13 trees destroyed. In 2007, surveys carried out in the quarantine area and its surroundings detected symptoms on 20 trees (17 Acer and 3 Betula spp.) but no adults could be found. Surveys and eradication measures will continue in 2008.
The second outbreak of A. glabripennis was discovered in 2004 (see EPPO RS 2004/163) in the small city of Sainte-Anne-sur-Brivet (Loire-Atlantique department, Pays de la Loire region). It is supposed that infested packing wood from China was also the source of this infestation. In 2004, 77 infested trees were detected and destroyed. A total of 163 larvae and 4 eggs were found, showing that the insect populations were active. This outbreak of approximately 250 m radius was probably detected at a rather late stage. In 2005, 5 adults were found and 33 trees destroyed. In 2006, surveys carried out from March to November in the quarantine area and its surroundings (1 km radius) did not detect any symptoms of tree infestation and only 1 beetle was found on the ground in October 2006. In 2007, surveys continued but did not detect any insects or symptoms of their presence. Intensive surveys will continue at least for the next 2 years, as 4 successive years of surveys without any findings are necessary before this outbreak can be considered as eradicated.
The status of Anoplophora glabripennis in France is officially declared as follows: Present, only in certain areas, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of France, 2008-02.