Recent interceptions of Anoplophora species in United Kingdom
The NPPO of United Kingdom provided the EPPO Secretariat with interesting details about recent interceptions of Anoplophora chinensis and Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae – both EPPO A1 pests) on imported Acer plants from China and packing wood. Most of these interceptions have been reported earlier in the EPPO report on notifications of non-compliance (e.g. 2005/188, 2004/127).
In April 2006 (2006-04-11), a container with 41,000 live Acer palmatum plants from China was held at Southampton after exit holes were found. Live Anoplophora chinensis were subsequently found. This was notified on 2006-04-13 to the Chinese authorities.
In August 2005, Anoplophora chinensis was found in 46,000 Acer palmatum plants in a nursery in Hampshire. The plants had arrived from China in April 2005. Chemical treatments were applied in August and the outbreak was eradicated.
Before these findings, there had been several interceptions of single Anoplophora glabripennis by the Forestry Commission, all associated with wooden packing material from China. Action taken was treatment by fumigation or destruction.
NPPO of United Kingdom, 2006-05.