Update on the situation of Euwallacea fornicatus sensu lato in Germany
In Germany, Euwallacea fornicatus sensu lato (Coleoptera: Scolytinae, EPPO A2 List) was detected in several tropical greenhouses and eradication measures have been taken (EPPO RS 2021/033, RS 2021/059, RS 2023/005).
A new outbreak of Euwallacea fornicatus sensu lato was found in a tropical greenhouse used for touristic purposes in Brandenburg in August 2022. In July 2023 the fungus Fusarium euwallaceae was also detected on Magnolia champaca plants in the greenhouse. As F. euwallaceae is considered an obligate symbiont of Euwallacea fornicatus sensu stricto, this may suggest that the beetle is Euwallacea fornicatus sensu stricto. Infested plants included Ficus natalensis subsp. leprieurii, Clerodendrum quadriloculare and Ficus microcarpa. All infested plants were destroyed.
The NPPO of Germany recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of a new finding of Euwallacea fornicatus sensu lato on its territory. The pest was found by staff in a newly-built greenhouse in a botanical garden in Nordrhein-Westfalen in December 2024 on a single Adansonia digitata tree. The identity of the pest was confirmed by a PCR test. This plant had been delivered in 2023 from another EU Member State. Official measures will be taken, including the establishment of a demarcated area of 1700m2 corresponding to the greenhouse.
The pest status of Euwallacea fornicatus sensu lato in Germany is officially declared as: Present, only in some parts of the Member State concerned, only in greenhouses, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Germany (2023-08, 2025-01)