Pest categorisation of Dendrolimus sibiricus

Area of Science:

• Plant Health
• Entomology
• Forestry
• Pest Risk Analysis

Background:

• Dendrolimus sibiricus, the Siberian moth, is a severe pest of Pinaceae conifers native to Asian Russia and surrounding regions.
• It causes defoliation and widespread tree mortality, impacting forests across thousands of hectares.
• The pest is currently absent from the European Union (EU) and is recognized as a quarantine pest.

Purpose of the Study:

• To perform a pest categorization of the Siberian moth (Dendrolimus sibiricus) for the Panel on Plant Health.
• To assess the risk of D. sibiricus establishing in the EU and its suitability as a regulated non-quarantine pest.
• To evaluate pathways and potential impacts of D. sibiricus on EU forests.

Main Methods:

• Pest categorization based on existing scientific literature and data.
• Analysis of D. sibiricus life cycle, including development time, diapause, and reproductive capacity.
• Evaluation of climatic requirements and potential for establishment in EU territories.
• Identification of potential pathways for pest introduction and spread.

Main Results:

• Dendrolimus sibiricus is a well-defined species with a significant impact on conifers, including native and non-native Pinaceae.
• The pest's life cycle can range from 1-3 years, with larvae feeding on needles and possessing urticating setae.
• Pathways for introduction include plants for planting, conifer branches, and wood; spread can occur via flight.
• Contradictory data on climatic requirements create uncertainty regarding EU establishment, despite widespread host availability.

Conclusions:

• Dendrolimus sibiricus meets all criteria to be considered a potential quarantine pest for the EU.
• Its absence from the EU means it does not meet criteria for a regulated non-quarantine pest.
• Further research into climatic requirements is needed to definitively assess establishment risk in the EU.