In Bulgarian with English abstract

Bulgaria is a traditional agricultural country, where various types of fruit trees, such as apple (Malus), pear (Pyrus), peach, apricot and plum (Prunus), hosts of Anoplophora chinensis (citrus longhorned beetle), are grown on relatively large areas. In addition, Anoplophora chinensis a serious pest of woody ornamental plants such as poplar (Populus), willow (Salix), maple (Acer), alder (Alnus), birch (Betula), chestnut (Castanea), beech (Fagus), oak (Quercus), rose (Rosa), etc.

Anoplophora chinensis (citrus longhorned beetle) is a widespread pest in Southeast Asia in climate types ranging from tropical to temperate regions. It was introduced to the United States, where it was successfully eradicated. In Europe, outbreaks of Anoplophora chinensis have been reported from Italy, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom. The pest has been successfully eradicated in Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom At this moment, there is no evidence that Anoplophora chinensis is present in the analyzed threatened area.

The main pathway for entry of Anoplophora chinensis into the EU and Bulgari are through the commercial exchange and movement of plant propagating material (plant material including dwarfed plants „bonsai“) and wood products (including logs, timber, solid wood packaging material without bark and pallets) from the host plants, originating from countries with established infestation.

The probability of Anoplophora chinenis entering Bulgaria naturally is relatively low, despite the fact that outbreaks of the pest have been found in the Black Sea region of Turkey, since the maximum distance of natural distribution of the pest for a year is about 194 m.

The presence of host plants, as well as the climatic conditions in Bulgaria, are not a limiting factor, which is why the enemy has a great potential to enter new areas and/or to adapt to new climatic and/or ecological conditions.

In case of eventual introduction, establishment and spread of Anoplophora chinensis in Bulgaria, it can have a negative impact, on both fruit production and logging, as well as on the ecology, biological diversity in deciduous forests and urban landscapes, and last but not least, on the development of the tourism.

The effect on the export of agricultural produce and timber would also be negative.

The eventual entry, establishment and spread of Anoplophora chinensis in our country would also affect the financial situation of farmers.