First report of Popillia japonica in Switzerland
In Switzerland, Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae - EPPO A2 List) was found for the first time in June 2017 in Ticino during an official survey. In 2017-07-21, the first 3 adult specimens were caught in a pheromone trap located near the border with Italy, and only a few kilometres away from the demarcated area of an outbreak detected in 2014 in Italy (Ticino Valley Natural Park, Lombardia and Piemonte regions). As of 2017-07-21, a total of 18 adult beetles were caught in this single trap and P. japonica has not been found in other sites so far. It is noted that the most probable source of this introduction results from the natural spread of the P. japonica population which is established in the Ticino Valley Natural Park in Italy. Phytosanitary measures have immediately been implemented and include the intensification of the surveillance programme in the region, an inventory of potential hotspots, the continuation of a public awareness raising campaign, and the circulation of pest-specific information to farmers and producers. In addition, a research project has been initiated by the federal agricultural research institute (Agroscope) to identify strains of entomopathogenic fungi which could be used against P. japonica.
The pest status of Popillia japonica in Switzerland is officially declared as: Transient, the pest has not been detected outside of the specified pheromone trap on Swiss territory so far, actionable, under eradication
Sources
NPPO of Switzerland (2017-06).