First outbreak of Japanese beetle north of the alps

Europe is facing the first Japanese beetle outbreak north of the alps. The phytosanitary service of Zurich in Switzerland has detected Popillia japonica in monitoring traps and on herbs and shrubs in an area close to the airport of Zurich. The deliminated infested zone is rather small, and the low numbers of beetles caught indicate that the outbreak was detected at its very beginning.

Communal authorities have immediately started an eradication program and made use of the expertise produced in the frame of the IPM-Popillia project. This is the first time that IPM-Popillia results feed directly into an eradication effort of the invasive pest in Europe.

We hope that this will lead to success, and we are looking forward to updates excitedly. Check our blog regularly if you want to know as well!