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. 2022 Feb 8;20(2):e07077. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7077
Taxonomic information

Current valid scientific name: Anomala testaceipes

Synonyms: Mimela testaceipes, Rhombonyx testaceipes ussuriensis

Name used in the EU legislation: –

Order: Coleoptera

Family: Scarabaeidae

Common name: striated chafer, lineate chafer

Name used in the Dossier: –

Group Insects
EPPO code ANMLTE
Regulated status Anomala testaceipes is neither regulated in the world nor listed by EPPO.
Pest status in China Anomala testaceipes is present in China (Toepfer et al., 2014; CABI, online), in Liaoning province (Toepfer et al., 2014).
Pest status in the EU Anomala testaceipes is absent in the EU (Toepfer et al., 2014; CABI, online).
Host status on Pinus parviflora and P. thunbergii

Anomala testaceipes is pest of conifers, adults feed on pine needles (Furuno and Uenaka, 1976) and larvae on roots (Toepfer et al., 2014). Pinus thunbergii is reported as a host of A. testaceipes (EFSA PLH Panel, 2019).

There is no information on whether A. testaceipes can also attack P. parviflora.

PRA information No Pest Risk Assessment is currently available.
Other relevant information for the assessment
Biology

Anomala testaceipes is a grub, present in China, Japan (Hokkaido), South Korea (Toepfer et al., 2014; CABI, online), East Russia (Primorsky region and Kurile islands) and North Korea (Toepfer et al., 2014).

Anomala testaceipes has four stages of development: egg, larva (there is no information on number of instars), pupa and adult. Larvae damage roots of host plants (including conifers) and their development requires between 1 and 3 years. Anomala testaceipes overwinters in the soil as larvae of different instars or as adults (Toepfer et al., 2014). The larvae overwinter 10–40 cm deep in soil and are quite sensitive to freezing, with the supercooling point at about –6.8°C (Hoshikawa et al., 1988). Adults are yellowish brown, 14.5–20.0 mm long. They emerge from June to September (Fuji Flavor CO., LTD., online). Adults can fly (Hisano, 2019), they feed on needles of conifers (Furuno and Uenaka, 1976) and are attracted by black‐light (Torikura, 1992). Females lay between 25 and 60 eggs. The flight activity was observed mainly at dusk in Japan (Torikura, 1991).

There is no detailed information on the biology nor on the possible flight distance that A. testaceipes can cover.

It can be assumed that possible pathways of entry for A. testaceipes are like the ones for Popillia japonica. According to EFSA PLH Panel (2018), the pathways are infested soil and growing media accompanying plants for planting (i.e. eggs, larvae and pupae); leaves and flowers on plants for planting, cut flowers and cut branches (i.e. adults) and hitch‐hiking adults, independent of host plants.

Symptoms Main type of symptoms

Main symptoms of adult feeding on conifers are cut down needles (Furuno and Uenaka, 1976).

Larvae cause damage on roots of host plants (including conifers), which leads to yield losses and in worst cases death of plants, especially young plants, seedlings and nursery stock (Toepfer et al., 2014).

Presence of asymptomatic plants Infested plants are asymptomatic only when carrying eggs laid in soil and when young larvae are newly hatched.
Confusion with other pests It can be confused with other Anomala species. A morphological or molecular analysis is needed in order to distinguish them.
Host plant range

Adults of A. testaceipes were reported to feed on needles of Chamaecyparis obtusa, Cryptomeria japonica, Larix leptolepis, Pinus banksiana, P. echinata, P. elliottii, P. muricata, P. pungens, P. rigida, P. taeda and P. virginiana (Furuno and Uenaka, 1976).

Hosts of larvae are conifers, citrus, pasture and grassy crops (Toepfer et al., 2014).

Pinus thunbergii is reported as a host of A. testaceipes (EFSA PLH Panel, 2019).

Reported evidence of impact Larvae of A. testaceipes are reported to cause root damage on conifers, citrus, pasture and grassy crops (Toepfer et al., 2014).
Evidence that the commodity is a pathway Even though there are no reports of Anomala spp. being intercepted on plants for planting with soil, it can be assumed that the pathway with bonsai plants is possible, just like for other grubs.
Surveillance information No surveillance information for this pest is currently available from China. There is no information on whether the pest has ever been found in the nursery or its surrounding environment.