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Pest categorisation of Dendroctonus micans.
EFSA Journal. European Food Safety Authority
|July 7, 2020
Summary
The great spruce bark beetle, Dendroctonus micans, is a significant pest of conifers across the EU. Biological control with Rhizophagus grandis and forest management practices are effective control strategies.
Area of Science:
- Plant Health
- Entomology
- Forestry
Background:
- Dendroctonus micans, the great spruce bark beetle, is a pest native to Eurasia.
- It primarily attacks spruce and pine species but also affects other conifers.
- The beetle has spread across 22 EU Member States, posing a significant threat to forests.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a pest categorisation of Dendroctonus micans for the EU.
- To assess its status as a potential protected zone quarantine pest.
- To evaluate its suitability as a regulated non-quarantine pest.
Main Methods:
- Pest categorisation based on established criteria.
- Review of existing scientific literature and distribution data.
- Assessment of pathways, host range, and impact.
Main Results:
- Dendroctonus micans meets criteria for a potential protected zone quarantine pest.
- It is already listed as a quarantine pest for specific EU protected zones.
- Plants for planting are not the main pathway, thus not meeting criteria for a regulated non-quarantine pest.
Conclusions:
- Dendroctonus micans poses a widespread risk to conifer forests in the EU.
- Biological control using Rhizophagus grandis is an effective management strategy.
- Forest management interventions like sanitary thinning are also crucial.
