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AlertThe Asian Capricorn invades Switzerland again
A fifth outbreak of the infestation has been discovered in the canton of Lucerne. This dangerous insect causes great damage to trees and forests and must be destroyed.
The signs that signal the presence of the insect: lymph flowing from an oviposition pit.
Thomas Schröder, Julius Kühn Institute
Coarse sawdust under the orifice.
Reiner Schrage, Chamber of Agriculture of North Rhine-Westphalia
Trees infested with the Asian beetle were discovered in Zell (LU) last August. As part of the control measures, the municipality has so far cut down 180 trees: 75 have been infested while the rest have been cut down as a preventive measure. The wood was chipped and then burned in a power plant. Zell’s house is one of the largest in Switzerland. Also a protection forest is affected. Within a radius of two kilometres, regular checks will be carried out over the next four years to ensure that the trees are free from damage. According to the first analyses, the arrival of the insect in this area dates back to at least six years ago.
The Asian Capricorn (Anoplophora glabripennis) is an invasive alien species native to Asia, classified as a particularly dangerous pest. It mainly threatens the forest and does not pose a danger to humans and animals. This beetle, 2.5 to 3.5 cm long (without the antennae), black with small bright spots, attacks shrubs and hardwoods such as maple, birch, horse chestnut or willow. It can lead to the death of these plants in a few years and cause considerable environmental and economic damage. It is mandatory to report its presence and fight it.
Two outbreaks eradicated in Freiburg
Four outbreaks of Asian beetles in the open air have already been discovered in Switzerland. They have all been uprooted: Brünisried (FR) 2011-2017; Winterthur, (ZH), 2012-2016; Marly (FR), 2014-2019; Bericon (AG). 2015-2019, so much so that Switzerland has been considered a free territory since 2019.
Most often, the insect is introduced through wooden packaging of building materials imported from Asia. Therefore, strict import requirements apply to certain plants and their wood, where the insect is likely to be found. Stricter controls on wooden packaging at borders have been in place since 2012. If infested wooden packaging is found, it is destroyed immediately.
Cut the plants within 100 meters
Traces or specimens ofAnoplophora glabripennis identified must be notified in accordance with the phytosanitary ordinance and the canton is then required to combat the insect, with the aim of eradicating it. To this end, the canton must implement control and surveillance measures on the territory in agreement with the Federal Plant Health Service (FSP), which depends on the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) and Agriculture (FOAG). Host plants, even asymptomatic, should be felled within 100 m of infested hardwoods. The measures apply for a minimum period of four years. Territory control and surveillance measures include the use of specially trained sniffer dogs and tree climbers.
What to do if you suspect the presence of the beetle?
Suspicious cases must be reported immediately to the competent cantonal service. Here is the procedure to follow:
1. Catch the insect and keep it in a closed container.
2. Photograph the beetle and compare it to species with which it might be confused.
3. Report the presence of the beetle by telephone to the competent cantonal forest protection service. The addresses are available on the page www.bafu.admin.ch/capricorne-asian.
