Bad and good news for ash trees in Europe: alien pest Agrilus planipennis has spread to Ukraine and the south of European Russia, but serious damage of Fraxinus excelsior in the forests is not detected

Abstract

Context

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Agrilus planipennis, a devastating alien pest of ash trees was first detected in Europe in Moscow in 2003. Its outbreak in the cities of European Russia (ER) seriously damaged plantations of F. pennsylvanica introduced from North America.

Aims

To determine the current range of the pest and its impact on Fraxinus excelsior in the forests.

Methods

In 2017–2019 more than 5000 ash trees were examined in 55 localities of ER, Ukraine and Belarus and more than 500 trees of F. excelsior in the large forest in the center of EAB range.

Results

EAB is first detected in in Ukraine and in Volgograd and Kursk regions of ER. Current range exceeds the area of Spain and includes 15 regions of ER: Bryansk, Kaluga, Kursk, Lipetsk, Moscow, Orel, Ryazan, Smolensk, Tambov, Tula, Tver, Vladimir, Volgograd, Voronezh, Yaroslavl and Luhansk Region of Ukraine. EAB is not detected in Belarus. All cases of infestation of F. excelsior refer not to the forests, but to the artificial plantations.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that EAB will appear in other European countries soon and damage F. pennsylvanica plantations. But it could be less dangerous for F. excelsior in European forests.

Key message

Alien pest Emerald Ash Borer ( Agrilus planipennis) posing a threat to ash trees all over Europe has spread to Ukraine and the south of European Russia and severely damages green ash ( Fraxinus pennsylvanica), but serious damage of European ash ( Fraxinus excelsior) in the forests is not detected.