For the first time in Europe, and specifically in the municipality of Elche, entomologists discovered: new invasive insect comes from asia. It is a type of insect, and although it was considered a pest in its place of origin, it is too early to tell whether it is already a pest on our continent.
“It will be important to know how large the population is and whether others are seeing it. The sooner it is checked, the less damage there will be.“, notes Carlos R. de Queros, originally from Elche and one of the four signatories of the article he recently published in the journal, which warned of the first appearance of this insect in Europe. Journal of Biodiversity Data With Enrico Ruzzier, Hugo Mas and Andrea Di Giulio.
The ultimate aim of this scientific work is to report and discuss the first records of the non-native longhorn beetle in Europe. Olenecamptus bilobus Of three examples recorded almost simultaneously in Spain and Greece.
In the summer of 2023, East Asian species were recorded incidentally and independently in Spain and Greece, respectively. Olenecamptus bilobus (Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Dorcaschematini) represents the first case of introduction of this species into European territory.
Notification to phytosanitary services
In particular, examples Olenecamptus bilobus They were located in the Saladas district of Elche.and they gathered at night in the same place, on two different occasions: standing on a white wall, and most likely caught in the light of a street lamp, all in the garden of a house. Both examples are part of the private collection of Carlos R. de Queros (who lived in Florence, Italy). According to experts, all findings were reported to local phytosanitary services.
Definition Non-native wood-boring insects are a major phytosanitary problem worldwide.. The introduction and establishment of these insects is constantly increasing despite strict regulations, targeted monitoring activities, and the application of new early detection tools and technologies. Moreover, many species appear to be able to evade phytosanitary controls at major ports of entry; which is why they are already found in the wild outside their habitat of origin.
Presence of samples in the areas where they are housed plant nurseries seems to suggest ornamental import of non-native plants as the most plausible vector of introduction.
The species is not on any European warning or quarantine lists. The species is polyphagous but appears to prefer plants of the genus. Arthrocarpus, Ficus (fig trees) and morus (mulberry trees).
This insect, which particularly bores hardwoods, is distributed in China, Comoros, Reunion, Mauritius, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Madagascar, Bhutan, Vanuatu, India, Pakistan and Australia.
See if you can get used to the climate
“It is considered harmful in other countries in Asia and Oceania, where it comes from. In Europe, we are not at that level because it is the first example. Now we need to investigate whether the population is consistent, whether it is adapted to the climate and whether it can be found in other regions. Regionally and even nationally. Therefore, its spread is crucial to understand whether other people have come into contact with the insect,” explains De Queros: “There is little information about it, but it appears to attack trees in the ficus family. especially ornamental ones.”
According to explorers in Europe, the discovery of this species “underlines the need to be careful about the accidental introduction of non-native species into European territory and also highlights the problem with the ability of some insects to systematically evade controls.” .
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Contact address of the environmental department:krisclimatica@prensaiberica.es
Source: Informacion
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