Interception of live Phratora laticollis (Suffrian) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on poplar logs imported from Belgium and Germany

Logs of Populus nigra L., frequently exported from Belgium and Germany are frequently being intercepted with a beetle Phratora laticollis (Suffrian) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Chrysomelinae), which is a pest of poplar trees in their native range. Such interceptions of exotic pests pose biosecurity risk to India, and hence these intercepted shipments require to be fumigated with methyl bromide @ 48 g/ m3 for 24 hr at the normal atmospheric pressure. The treated shipments also need to be re-inspected prior to release to ensure that these are free of live infestation. Its non-compliances need to be notified to the trading partners on each interception as per the guidelines in the ISPM-13. Significance of such interception in plant biosecurity is discussed herein.