Update on the situation of Callidiellum rufipenne in Europe
The Japanese cedar longhorned beetle, Callidiellum rufipenne (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae – formerly EPPO Alert List) is a wood borer of Cupressaceae (Chamaecyparis, Cryptomeria, Cupressus, Juniperus, Thuja) originating from the Far East which has been introduced into the USA and the EPPO region. A recent paper presents a detailed situation of this pest in Europe, based on scientific papers and verified observations published on various online platforms. Countries are listed below in order of first detections. It is noted that in many cases, insect specimens were first noticed near sea harbours, suggesting that trade and human activities are playing a key role in its spread. Establishment of C. rufipenne has been confirmed in Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden. In other countries only isolated findings have been made and establishment remains to be confirmed.
- France (1906)
In the literature, it is mentioned that C. rufipenne was accidentally caught in Southern France without any further details in 1906. An unconfirmed record was also made in February 2000 in Saint-Chamont (Loire department) but the insect has not been seen again in this area. The first confirmed findings were made in December 2011 in the Sare forest (Pyrénées-Atlantique department). This population is considered established and is spreading towards Spain. Further findings of C. rufipenne have been made in the Vendée department in 2019.
- Denmark (1978)
A single dead specimen was found in June 1978 on a beach in Skagen (North Jutland region), following an episode of strong eastern winds. It is supposed that this insect was blown onto the beach from a ship sailing along the Danish coast. No further specimens were reported.
- Georgia (1987)
A single female specimen was observed in May 1987 in Chakvi (Kobuleti municipality – Adjara Autonomous Republic).
- Italy (1988)
Several specimens were first found in March 1988 in Ravenna (Emilia-Romagna) in dead branches of Juniperus communis collected from a pine stand. C. rufipenne is established in Italy, but confined to this area.
- Russia (1992)
Several specimens were obtained in 1992 (after rearing) from cut trunks of Cupressus sp. in Sotchi (Krasnodar). The Russian Far East is part of the native range of C. rufipenne, but in Krasnodar (Southern Russia), its establishment is not confirmed.
- Spain (1995)
The first specimens were recorded in February 1995 in the province of Vizcaya (País Vasco) on Cupressus macrocarpa. From 1995 to 2014, further findings were made in various localities of País Vasco (Álava, Vizcaya provinces), Cantabria, and Navarra on C. macrocarpa and C. lawsoniana. It is supposed that populations are established along the littoral of País Vasco and Cantabria, but recent data is lacking to determine whether the pest is spreading or not.
- Belgium (2006)
C. rufipenne was first detected in 2006 near Antwerpen, and was then increasingly reported in the following years in the provinces of Antwerpen, Oost-Vlaanderen, and Vlaams-Brabant within a radius of 50 km around Antwerpen. Spread continued and records were made in Limburg (first in 2018), Brussels (2018), Brabant Wallon (2020), West-Vlaanderen (2021) and Hainaut (2023).
- Slovenia (2006)
A single male specimen was caught in October 2006 in Obrov (near Poljane), emerging from Thuja sp. wood which had been collected in 2002 (a surprisingly long delay).
- Croatia (2007-2008)
The first adult specimens were obtained in February 2008 from larvae infesting a fallen branch of Thuja collected in 2007 in Njivice, Krk Island. Another specimen was collected in May 2020 in Čačinci (Virovitica-Podravina county).
- Serbia (2011)
Outbreaks of C. rufipenne were noticed in 2011-2012 in nurseries producing Cupressaceae, in particular Thuja sp., in the districts of Mačva and Kolubara.
- Portugal (2013)
A female specimen was observed in April 2013 in Guarda (Beira Interior Norte) on the balcony of a private house near an avenue planted with conifers. These trees have been removed and no further insects have been seen.
- Bosnia-Herzegovina (2017)
A single female specimen was observed in April 2017 in Bijeljina (Semberija, Republika Srpska).
- Sweden (2017)
The first specimens were found in June 2017 in Harplinge, Halland county. Further specimens were then found in this county, as well as in Västra Götaland county. It is considered that these two populations are probably in the process of establishing.
- Netherlands (2018)
The insect was first observed in May 2018 in the municipality of Roedalen (Limburg province). Further observations were made in several localities in the counties of Gelderland, Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Zeeland and Zuid-Holland. Most findings were made in the Southern part of the country, as an extension of the populations observed in Belgium.
Sources
Clément F (2023) Le point sur la distribution de Callidiellum rufipenne (Motschulsky, 1861) en France et en Europe (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Cerambycinae, Callidiini). Le Coléoptériste 26(3), 188-203.