Incursion of Popillia japonica in France
The NPPO of France recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first finding of Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae– EPPO A2 List) on its territory.
Two male beetles were caught in traps in Haut-Rhin department (Alsace, Grand Est region), installed as part of the official surveys for this pest. One beetle was trapped on July 1st 2025, in a trap near a rail freight station, the second on July 2nd close to a highway linking France to Switzerland. As a consequence, an intensified survey was conducted around the findings, with additional traps were installed within a 1.5 km radius. All traps have been inspected twice a week. As of July 16th, no further beetles have been caught around these locations. It is therefore considered that these two findings do not constitute an outbreak, but rather that the beetles were likely a hitchhiker originating from outbreak areas. No demarcated areas have been established.
Public awareness activities have been carried out (press release, distribution of leaflets).
A delimited area exists in France (also in the Haut-Rhin department) as part of the buffer zone for an outbreak in Basel (Switzerland). On July 16th, one beetle was trapped in this buffer zone. Surveillance was intensified in the area.
The pest status of Popillia japonica in France is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of France (2025-07).