The overall objective of FORSAID is to incorporate novel digital solutions in the fight against forest pests in Europe.
In this sense, the project is seeking to build up and firmly establish a novel and comprehensive paradigm for identifying, observing and containing pest proliferations across Europe.
Specifically, several EU-regulated pest species that have a particularly substantial negative impact on plant health will be targeted.
The FORSAID project targets ten pest species: six insects (Agrilus anxius, Agrilus planipennis, Corythucha arcuata, Ips typographus, Thaumetopoea pityocampa and Thaumetopoea processionea), three fungi (Ceratocystis platani, Cryphonectria parasitica and Fusarium circinatum) and one nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, along with its insect vectors Monochamus spp.). Current legislation, research needs and geographical distribution across European forest biomes were all taken into account in this selection. It thus covers both broadleaved and conifer tree species in different ecological and production settings (nurseries, urban trees and forest stands).
More information on the insects, fungi and nematode in question, the challenges they pose as well as how FORSAID aims to address them can be found below.
Agrilus anxius, the bronze birch borer, is a serious pest of birch (Betula) trees. Native to North America and not present in Europe, it is considered at risk of introduction because of the increasing trade of birch wood products. It is listed as a priority pest under Implementing Regulation 2019/1702.
This insect is difficult to be discriminated from native Agrilus species – FORSAID will therefore look to automatic identification tools for beetles possibly caught in surveillance programmes.
Agrilus planipennis, the emerald ash borer, is a woodboring beetle native to East Asia. It is highly invasive in North America as it caused a large-scale dieback of the American ash (Fraxinus). This insect was introduced in western Russia in 2003 and subsequently in Ukraine and Belarus. It is listed as a priority pest under Implementing Regulation 2019/1702 because of the threats posed to European ash species.
In FORSAID, early detection of the emerald ash borer will rely on proximal remote sensing, environmental DNA and automatic identification tools for beetles possibly caught in surveillance programmes.Corythucha arcuata, the oak lace bug, is an invasive species causing significant damage to oak (Quercus) forests. The insect was first detected in Europe (Italy) in 2000 and shortly afterward in Türkiye, spreading extensively across the Balkans and into Central Europe in the following years. It is not currently regulated as an EU quarantine pest, mostly because it is already widespread across many countries.
FORSAID partners will target this species using large-scale remote sensing analysis.
Ips typographus, the European spruce bark beetle, is among the most noteworthy forest pests in Europe. In recent decades, mass outbreaks of this species have resulted in extensive mortality of the Norway spruce (Picea abies). The pest is regulated under Annex III (Protected Zones) of Implementing Regulation 2019/2072.
As part of FORSAID, we will assess tree mortality caused by this insect through European-scale remote sensing. In addition, we will deploy smart traps and automatic identification systems to ensure quick and efficient monitoring.Thaumetopoea pityocampa, the pine processionary moth, is the main defoliator of pine (Pinus) forests in southern Europe. It also poses a threat to public health as larvae are highly urticating. This species is regulated under Annex III (Protected Zones) of Implementing Regulation 2019/2072 and is considered a quarantine pest in some countries (such as the UK).
With this insect in mind, FORSAID will map defoliation areas using remote sensing at the European scale as well as test smart traps for monitoring.
Thaumetopoea processionea, the oak processionary moth, is a major defoliator of oak (Quercus) trees and a threat to public health in Europe. It is regulated under Annex III (Protected Zones) of Implementing Regulation 2019/2072.
FORSAID will be testing smart traps for monitoring this species.
Ceratocystis platani is the causal agent of a lethal disease called canker stain disease, which is threatening plane (Platanus) trees in both urban and natural ecosystems in Albania, France, Greece, Italy, Switzerland and Türkiye. Native to North America, it has been established in Europe for decades. This fungus is regulated under Annex II (part B) of Implementing Regulation 2019/2072.
In FORSAID, the focus in relation to the species will be on detection at stand-level with remote sensing, at proximal-level with seedling spectroscopy and through environmental DNA.Cryphonectria parasitica causes the chestnut blight, a devastating disease infecting American and European chestnut (Castanea) trees. It is native to Asia and was first introduced in North America in the early 1900s and subsequently in Europe. This species is regulated under Annex III (Protected Zones) of Implementing Regulation 2019/2072.
FORSAID will look into early symptom detection in seedlings and identify the pathogen using environmental DNA.
Fusarium circinatum, the causal agent of pine pitch canker, is a major threat to several pine (Pinus) species and other conifers. Originally from the United States, it was discovered in Europe in the mid-1990s. The fungus is regulated under Annex II (part B) of Implementing Regulation 2019/2072.
Partners of FORSAID will detect this species through Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy for stand-level remote sensing.Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is a nematode pest of pine (Pinus) forests. This pathogen is native to North America and invasive in Asia and Europe, where it was first found in Portugal in 1999. In November 2025, an incursion was detected in France as well. It is listed as a priority pest under Regulation 2019/1702 and in Annex II (Part B) of Regulation 2019/2072.
In FORSAID, detection of the nematode will be undertaken at European and stand scales using remote sensing and environmental DNA. The Monochamus longhorn beetle vectors will also be targeted using automatic identification tools.