New outbreak of Aromia bungii in Italy
In Italy, Aromia bungii (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae – EPPO A2 List) was first found in Campania region (province of Napoli) in 2012 (EPPO RS 2012/204) and in 2018 on the island of Procida (province of Napoli). It was also detected in 2013 in Lombardia region (RS 2013/187) and in 2020 in Lazio region (RS 2020/191). Official measures are applied (RS 2021/035, RS 2022/210).
In July 2023, a first outbreak was detected in Toscana region. A. bungii was found on 5 apricot trees (Prunus armeniaca) located in the municipality of Rosignano Marittimo (Livorno province). Further surveys were conducted to delimit the infested zone. In total 204 Prunus plants were found to be infested, and the infested area covers 54.94 ha. Eradication measures in accordance with Decision (EU) 2018/1503 are implemented.
The pest status of Aromia bungii in Italy is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, under eradication or under containment, in case eradication is impossible.
Sources
NPPO of Italy (2024-04).
EU (2018) Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1503 of 8 October 2018 establishing measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Union of Aromia bungii (Faldermann). OJL 254, 9-18. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2018/1503/oj