In few weeks, pests' populations will be on the rise, ravaging several plants. Among those, the invasive Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica), a 1cm long insect, native to Japan, spotted for the first time in Europe in July 2014 close to the river Ticino, in Northern Italy.
In few weeks, pests' populations will be on the rise, ravaging several plants. Among those, the invasive Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica), a 1cm long insect, native to Japan, spotted for the first time in Europe in July 2014 close to the river Ticino, in Northern Italy. A survey revealed well-established populations throughout the quarantined area. It is a polyphagous pest, with adults feeding on leaves of many plant species, both cultivated and spontaneous. The larvae develop in the ground, and are particularly harmful to roots of grass species. The Coleopteran was also found in June 2017 in Canton Ticino (Switzerland).
Since 2016, the Plant Health Services of Piedmont and Lombardy activated a plan to contain the harmful organism, with the use of massive trapping and treatments, both chemical and biological. The authorities prepared a document with valuable information on the species identification, its life cycle, trophic behavior and distribution map updated to October 2017.
If you spot a Japanese beetle in Piedmont and Lombardy regions you must report it to the regional Plant Health Services.
Useful links
DECREE 6 July 2017 MINISTRY OF FOOD AND FORESTRY AGRICULTURAL POLICIES
“Popillia japonica: aggiornamento a cura del Tavolo Tecnico nazionale”
PM 9/21(1) Popillia japonica: procedures for official control