- Japanese beetle finds more harsher control of pests
Ellen John inspects the beetle trap hanging inconspicuously on the fence of a parking lot. The employee of the Plant Protection Service of the Freiburg Regional Government finds a bug in the plastic container marked "Popija 13", but no Japanese beetle.
Since four male specimens of this dangerous beetle species were caught in Freiburg at the end of July, John and other employees have installed more of these yellow-green traps and intensified controls.
Beetle threatens viticulture and agriculture
The Asian-origin Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is classified as a pest in the EU. This voracious insect particularly threatens viticulture, horticulture, and agriculture. Roses, blackberries, grapes: The animals ravage orchards, vineyards, forests, green spaces, and gardens, devouring more than 300 plant species.
The beetle traps with food and sex pheromones are now checked twice a week. Previously, there was a control round every 14 days. "We've become a bit nervous," summarizes the horticulturist, looking at the findings.
Traps throughout the country
In the north of the Black Forest metropolis, there are now 16 traps around a truck transshipment terminal for the so-called rolling road over the Alps. The fear is that the beetle is being introduced via freight traffic from Italy.
Freiburg is a potential hotspot due to the findings - but there is alarm throughout the country. At least one Japanese beetle was also caught in the Ludwigsburg district, as the Agricultural Technology Centre Augustenberg (LTZ) in Karlsruhe reported.
The spread of the Japanese beetle must be prevented, according to the authorities. There are now over 80 traps at so-called risk locations such as truck rest areas throughout the country. The concern about this invasive species is so great in Germany that even the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the Julius Kühn Institute, the federal research institute for crop plants, have issued warnings.
Confusion with garden chafer beetle
In addition to Italy, the neighboring country of Switzerland is also affected. The Japanese beetle is spreading, among other places, in the city of Basel, which is directly on the border with Germany. In some districts, lawn areas may initially not be watered. The goal is to prevent egg-laying there - as the females prefer moist grass areas.
"The Japanese beetle stands out at the moment," concludes the Freiburg plant protection specialist John, looking at her daily work. The fight against the only about one centimeter large pest is also complicated because it is often confused with the garden chafer beetle and other native beetles. But there is an important feature: "I don't know any other beetle that has white hair tufts on the side and back."
The Asian-origin Japanese beetle poses a significant threat to forests, not just viticulture and agriculture. These invasive insects can also cause damage to the diverse plant species present in forests.
Furthermore, the officials are setting up beetle traps not only in Freiburg but also in other risk locations across the country, including forests, to prevent the spread of the Japanese beetle.
