- Japanese beetle found - pest first confirmed in Bavaria
The Japanese beetle can cause significant damage to both ornamental and crop plants. For the first time in Bavaria, an individual of this insect, known in scientific terms as Popillia japonica, has been found near Lindau. As reported by the State Agency for Agriculture (LfL), the beetle was caught in a trap baited with attractants on the A96 motorway. This pest is subject to notification requirements, and the finding has since been officially confirmed. Prior to this, Japanese beetles had been detected in Switzerland and Baden-Württemberg.
The beetle can feed on more than 400 host plants, according to the LfL. These include grapevines, berry fruits, lawns, corn, or soybeans, as well as landscape trees like linden and birch, and ornamental plants like roses and wisteria.
To monitor the occurrence of the beetle in Bavaria, the LfL has set up traps in several regions. Controls around the find site near Lindau have not provided any further indications, such as feeding damage, of the presence of Japanese beetles.
The trap was placed on the A96 to catch beetles that may have traveled from infested areas in Switzerland or Italy as soon as possible after crossing the border. The nearest known smaller infestation site in Zurich is more than 100 kilometers away by air.
It is assumed that Japanese beetles can spread up to 1.5 to 5 kilometers per year without any activity. Therefore, it is likely that the caught beetle is a single, traveling insect, according to the LfL. However, further traps have been set up around the find site.
Citizens who spot Japanese beetles are asked to report it to the state agency. On their website, the authority provides information and photos on how to recognize the beetle and which local, harmless beetles it could be confused with.
Notification: Characteristics of the Japanese beetle
The discovery of the Japanese beetle in Bavaria highlights the need for vigilance against pests. If left unchecked, these pests can cause extensive damage to diverse plant species, including grapevines, berry fruits, corn, soybeans, linden and birch trees, and ornamental plants like roses and wisteria.
