First record of the black twig borer, Xylosandrus compactus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) in Spain

We present the first record for Spain of the black twig borer, Xylosandrus compactus, an ambrosia beetle of Asian origin, collected from an infested carob tree located in Calvià (Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain). X. compactus is included in the EPPO Alert List, and it has been recently reported causing damages in a Mediterranean maquis ecosystem in Italy and Southern France. Here, we discuss about the first steps of management of this Invasive Alien species (IAS), the eradication plan and the hypothesis of the path of introduction in this Western Mediterranean island.

Black twig borer, Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff), as a potential threat to the coffee production

In robusta coffee, Coffea canephora, the black twig borer Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) causes considerable damage. Although this has been reported in many crops for years in Brazil, recently, the injury caused by X. compactus in coffee has been ignored. This present study aimed to report the current status of X. compactus in Brazil, and to investigate its attack frequency in different robusta coffee genotypes. In this study, we reported the occurrence of X. compactus in robusta coffee plants in the state of Rondônia for the first time. We also evaluated the occurrence of this pest in different robusta coffee genotypes in the state of Espírito Santo. In all plants, the plagiotropic branches were attacked; however, the genotypes G2, G6, G8, G20, G48, G50, G51 and G52 showed a high number of attacked plagiotropic branches, whereas the genotypes G24 and G41 showed a low attack frequency. Thus, these can be promising candidates for pest resistance studies. Moreover, it was reported that Almeidea rubra, Alseis floribunda, Plinia grandifolia and Casearia Sylvestris can serve as hosts of X. compactus. Thus, our findings suggest that X. compactus is a threat to coffee production, and that future studies are necessary to find appropriate tools for its management.

Unusual Behavior of Xylosandrus compactus (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) on Carob Trees in a Mediterranean Environment

Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff), commonly known as the black twig borer, was reported in Sicily (Italy) at the end of 2016, infesting Carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) twigs, large branches, and trunks. Previous research indicated that X. compactus attacks only small twigs and branches, not large branches and tree trunks. This unusual behavior was monitored through the two following years in five sites in Ragusa province (Sicily, Italy). For each of the monitored sites, the diameter of the infested trunks and branches was recorded. Samples of branches and trunks presenting galleries were removed from the trees and analyzed in the laboratory. Xylosandrus compactus occurred on branches of all monitored trees, while the percentage of infested trunks of carob trees ranged from 60% to 80%. Inside the infested galleries, all biological stages of X. compactus were found. Infestations were also recorded on trunks and branches with diameters greater than 80 cm and 30 cm, respectively. The mean number of X. compactus specimens inside the galleries was recorded and gallery shape was described. Unordinary behaviors, like the one described here for the first time, can affect the current efficiency of management recommendations.

First record of the black twig borer Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) from Europe

During winter months and early spring 2011, we observed symptoms of scattered twig mortality in two historical woody urban parks of Campania (Southern Italy), at Portici (Parco Gussone: 40°48’ N, 14°20’ E) and Naples (Parco di Capodimonte: 40°52’ N, 14°15’ E). The woods consist of mature holm oaks (Quercus ilex) with an understorey of evergreen Mediterranean shrubs, natural regeneration of oak and several ornamental species. The examined dry terminals of holm oak, collected in late March 2011, hosted adult females of an ambrosia beetle of the genus Xylosandrus Reitter. Here, we report the first European record of the black twig borer (BTB) Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff) reproducing on new host plants in Italy. Insect and twig sampling was conducted irregularly during spring and summer 2011. Infested twigs of different host plants were isolated in plastic tubes, new emerged or callow adults counted and sexed and other biological data recorded. Hundreds of specimens of BTB, (>700 females and 43 males) emerged from sampled twigs or were directly collected from reproductive galleries at both localities.

Xylosandrus compactus. [Distribution map].

A new distribution map is provided for Xylosandrus compactus (Eichh.) (Xyleborus morstatti[Xylosandrus compactus] Hag.) (Col., Scolytidae) (Black Twig Borer). Host Plants: Cacao, coffee, avocado, mahogany. Information is given on the geographical distribution in ASIA, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kampuchea, Laos, Malaysia, West Singapore, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, AFRICA, Benin, Cameroun, Central African, Republic Congo, Republic Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Nigeria, Réunion, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zaire, PACIFIC ISLANDS, Fiji, Hawaii, Irian Jaya, Papua New Guinea, NORTH AMERICA, USA, Samoa.

XYLOSANDRUS COMPACTUS (EICHOFF), COLEOPTERA: SCOLYTIDAE, THE BLACK TWIG BORER ATTACKING COFFEE IN PUERTO RICO

XYLOSANDRUS COMPACTUS (EICHOFF), COLEOPTERA: SCOLYTIDAE, THE BLACK TWIG BORER ATTACKING COFFEE IN PUERTO RICO