Harmful organisms

A. chinensis (CLB) and A. glabripennis (ALB) are cerambycid beetles of Asian origin, introduced in recent decades in Europe and America (ALB only). In Italy they are present in several regions.
The routes of entry and spread are mainly linked to trade in materials that may contain larvae (ornamental plants, timber and wooden packaging).

Epitrix is a beetle insect belonging to the family Chrysomelidae. The main species of phytosanitary interest are E. cucumeris, E. papa, E. subcrinita and E. tuberis.
It is a quarantine pest that is fortunately not yet widespread in Europe (at the moment it has only been found on the Iberian peninsula) but has caused considerable damage on the American continent.

Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is the nematode responsible for pine decay, a phytopathy that rapidly leads to the death of conifers. It poses a serious threat not only because of the presence in Europe of large areas of forest consisting of susceptible plants and favourable climatic conditions for its establishment, but also because of its ability to spread via vector insects belonging to the genus Monochamus, some species of which are present in the territory of the Union.

Popillia japonica (also called Japanese beetle) is a priority quarantine pest for the European Union . The insect is not dangerous to humans, but as it feeds on more than 300 plant species (including agricultural crops, ornamental plants and forests), the socio-economic and environmental impact of its introduction can be significant.

Xylella fastidiosa is a bacterial plant pathogen transmitted by insect vectors and associated with serious diseases affecting a wide variety of plants. In grapevines, it causes Pierce's disease, which has been a major problem for grape growers in the US and South America. The bacterium was discovered in Puglia on olive trees in October 2013, and was also the first European finding. Since then, its presence has also been reported in France, Spain and Portugal.

The 'copper walnut blight' or 'thousand-cancer disease' is a plant disease caused by the ascomycete fungus Geosmithia morbida, which is transmitted to the plant by the adult of the scolythid insect Pityophthorus juglandis, which, by piercing the bark of walnut plants in order to lay its eggs, acts as a vector spreading the disease. The coexistence of the pathogen and its vector is therefore necessary for the symptoms of this disease to manifest.
By virtue of their limited spread and the high presence of susceptible hosts on the European continent, Geosmithia morbida and Pityophthorus juglandis are included in the list of quarantine pests known to occur in the territory of the European Union (Annex II, Part B, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072).

Globoderae are microscopic pests that attack the roots mainly of potatoes, but also tomatoes, aubergines and other solanaceous plants. These organisms are a major plant health problem worldwide and are quarantine pests under EU Reg. (EU) 2072/2019.

Aromia bungii is a xylophagous insect (cerambicide beetle) harmful at the larval stage. It is a quarantine organism, listed in Annex II, Part B of Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 as it can cause plant desiccation and death.

Flavescence dorée is a quarantine disease that is considered to be one of the most important and destructive diseases affecting vines and is therefore subject to compulsory control measures throughout the country and province. Due to its epidemic character and the seriousness of the damage caused to vineyards, the phytoplasma responsible for the disease is included in the lists of quarantine organisms relevant to the European Union. Its dangerousness is linked to the high transmission efficiency of the pathogen by its main vector, the cicada Scaphoideus titanus, an insect commonly present and widespread in Trentino vineyards that feeds and carries out its biological cycle entirely on vines, with which it is closely associated.

Synchytrium endobioticum is a fungal pathogen, the causal agent responsible for black potato mange (potato wart) that is regulated as a quarantine pest of EU relevance and is known to occur in European territory. It has been found in the Province of Trento after 50 years since it was last found on Italian territory.