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Hesse is fighting resolutely against the Japanese beetle: measures are having an effect!
Hesse is responding to the threat posed by the invasive Japanese beetle in Groß-Gerau with comprehensive control measures.
Hesse is fighting resolutely against the Japanese beetle: measures are having an effect!
A new pest is wreaking havoc in Germany: the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica). It was first spotted in July 2025 in Trebur, Hesse, and has since posed a serious threat to agriculture and nature. The beetle, an invasive pest, was recognized in Europe in 2014 and has been spreading rapidly since then. In Hesse, they reacted immediately and took measures to contain the infestation. Loud Rhein Main Publishing House Areas were established with strict rules for the transport of plants and materials.
But what makes the Japanese beetle so dangerous? It affects over 300 different plant species, including grape vines, fruit trees such as apples and cherries, but also vegetables such as corn and soy. This not only poses a threat to the native flora, but also to the harvest and thus to food security in Europe. Through its feeding activity, the pest causes immense damage in agriculture, especially in horticulture and viticulture, where the foliage of its victims is literally eaten away.
Massive measures to combat it
The Giessen regional council has set up an infestation zone with a radius of one kilometer around the site of discovery and a buffer zone of five kilometers. These zones are subject to strict controls. The transport of rooted plants, green waste and topsoil is prohibited without special permission. Monitoring measures with attractant traps and visual controls are intended to help monitor the spread of the beetle. The public is urged to report any suspicious beetle findings immediately to enable an even quicker response. If the beetle reaches a certain level of distribution, the economic consequences could be enormous. Estimates of the cost of the fight in the United States are over $460 million a year, and similar burdens are expected in Germany, according to a report by NADR.
In addition, it is emphasized that the state of Hesse works closely with Rhineland-Palatinate and other municipalities to prevent the pest from establishing itself permanently. Loud agriculture.de Research already envisages options for biological control, but these are only approved to a limited extent in the EU.
A growing problem
The general problem of invasive species is being exacerbated by climate change and increasing globalization. These factors facilitate the invasion and establishment of harmful species, which not only endangers native biodiversity but also massively disrupts agriculture and ecosystems. There are over 37,000 alien species known worldwide, of which over 3,500 are considered invasive, including the Japanese beetle.
Due to their far-reaching effects, invasive pests such as the Japanese beetle require immediate action.
The coming months will be crucial in stopping the spread of this pest. While climate change is seen as a driving factor in the establishment of invasive species, hopes lie in an integrated management approach that combines quarantine measures, biological control and public outreach.