Summary

Callidiellum rufipenne is an invasive pest on conifers which has spread extensively around the world with plants for planting and wood products. The first record in Europe was made already more than 100 years ago. There are some inconsistencies in the literature with regard to whether C. rufipenne can infest healthy trees and whether it can infest host species of the genera Pinus and Picea. Based on the provided evidence our assessment is that the answer is no in both cases. Stressed trees may however be infested and heavy infestations has been associated with branch and even tree death. The potential damage associated with an establishment of C. rufipenne in Sweden is damage to stressed trees of native Juniper communis and other non-native species within the family Cupressaceae. Several non-native species within Cupressaceae are planted widely in private gardens and parks etc in Sweden. Trees grown on marginal sites are especially at risk. Management measures to eradicate and to prevent entry/spread are available for C. rufipenne. 

Assignment

Callidiellum rufipenne is a pest on conifers that recently has been found in Sweden. The unit of Risk assessment of plant pests at the Swedish university of agricultural sciences was requested by the Swedish board of agriculture to perform a quick review of the literature relevant for guiding the assessment of the risks associated with a potential establishment of this species in Sweden.