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Red alert: Japanese beetle threatens Hesse's agriculture!
Farmers in Groß-Gerau alarmed: Japanese beetle is spreading and threatening agriculture in Hesse. Measures necessary to combat it.
Red alert: Japanese beetle threatens Hesse's agriculture!
What threatens the fields and gardens in Hesse's regions? Farmers are facing a serious threat: the immigrant Japanese beetle, a voracious pest, has left its first traces. According to the Borken newspaper The beetle was first found about a month ago in Trebur, a town in the Groß-Gerau district. It is not yet established in Germany, but there is growing concern that this is just the beginning of rapid spread.
The spokeswoman for the Hessian farmers' association emphasizes that the threat posed by the Japanese beetle, scientifically known asPopillia japonica, real and present. Finds in countries such as Italy and Switzerland have already shown how quickly the beetle spreads along traffic routes. Since its first discovery in Europe in Italy in 2014, it has been a serious problem for agriculture, horticulture and viticulture. The Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food states that the Japanese beetle attacks over 400 plant species and eats leaves as well as flowers and fruits. Its larvae also damage the roots of grass areas.
Impact on agriculture
The spread of the Japanese beetle is already having consequences for farmers and residents in the region. In Trebur you have to expect special requirements. Lawns may not be watered to prevent beetle larvae from settling. The transport of plants and soil is also restricted in the infested zone. These measures could be necessary for up to three years to control the spread.
The beetles discovered in Freiburg in Germany in 2024 and the specimens that recently appeared in Hesse are worrying the agricultural world. The agriculture warns of significant damage that invasive species such as the Japanese beetle can cause. Since 1960, such species have caused economic damage of over 8 billion euros.
What can be done?
To minimize the spread of the Japanese beetle, it is crucial to take certain precautions. Travelers from affected areas should definitely check their vehicles and luggage for the beetle. Suspected beetles can be handed over to the responsible plant protection service in a closed container for identification.
Various control measures are currently being tested, including the use of natural enemies such as parasitic nematodes and entomopathogenic fungi. Special attractants are also used in combination with funnel traps. An early approach could help keep the Japanese beetle population in check before it spreads further.
The coming months will be crucial for Hesse's agriculture and horticulture. The challenge is great, but with mindfulness and targeted measures it may be possible to keep the Japanese beetle under control.