Plant protection and plant health in Europe: introduction and spread of invasive species, held at Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany, 9-11 June 2005

Monitoring of citrus longhorn beetle (A. chinensis) was carried out in Italy by checking for the presence of holes, sawdust and oviposition scars in host trees, and by collecting adults and other stages. Such monitoring commenced at the core of the infestation, and was then extended out from this zone over increasing distances. Adults flew from the end of May until the end of August, with peak numbers in the middle of June. Males occurred earlier than females. Exit holes had been found only at the base of trees and on surface roots; up to 90 per tree had been recorded. The insect had been found in 13 villages, all relatively close to the first point of detection, covering an area of approx equal to 60 km2 in which quarantine measures had been adopted. During 2003-04, approx equal to 400 trees were removed and the bases of 400 others covered with wire mesh cages, according to the Phytosanitary Decree in force. Citrus longhorn beetle attacked species of Acer (48%), Platanus (15%), Betula (14%), Carpinus (7%) and Fagus (5%). Damage had also been found on species of Aesculus, Corylus, Cotoneaster, Crataegus, Lagerstroemia, Malus, Populus, Prunus, Rosa, Quercus and Ulmus