First report of Anoplophora chinensis in Germany
In June 2008, two outbreaks of Anoplophora chinensis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae – EPPO A1 List) have been reported from two Federal States of Germany (Bayern and Nordrhein-Westfalen). The pest was found on Acer palmatum plants which had been originally imported from China. Adult beetles in single plants were detected by private customers who had purchased them from subsidiary companies of a supermarket chain company. In both cases, the plants originated from a consignment purchased from the Netherlands in May 2008. The plant protection service of The Netherlands has been informed. The central department of the supermarket chain has been invited to recall the plants from that consignment. The situation is being considered as extremely serious as the sale of these plants has been completed. Infested plants can only be detected by the private owners themselves. A press release has been widely distributed to the general public, in order to make people aware of the situation, look for symptoms and beetles, and report to their relevant plant protection services. Post-entry control by use of destructive sampling (1% out of 28,000 plants) of this already imported and released consignment of Acer plants from China has resulted in the identification of 25 infested plants. Destruction under official control and disposal on a dumping ground with sufficient soil cover was imposed.
The situation of Anoplophora chinensis in Germany can be described as follows: Present, 2 outbreaks detected in 2008 on Acer palmatum plants imported from China in Bayern and Nordrhein-Westfalen, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Germany, 2008-06.