Update on the situation of Popillia japonica in Slovenia
In Slovenia Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae– EPPO A2 List) was first detected in 2024: one adult was found in a trap at a highway petrol station in Lukovica (Central Slovenia) on July 10th 2024 (EPPO RS 2024/149). Five additional beetles were caught in the same or a nearby pheromone trap by the end of August 2024. In addition two beetles were caught in a trap at the highway station Barje in Ljubljana (Central Slovenia) in mid-July and early September 2024. Visual inspections were carried out within a radius of 100 m and 1 km of the traps and did not detect damage on host plants. It was therefore considered that the beetles were likely hitchhikers originating from outbreak areas. No demarcated areas were established.
At the beginning of July 2025 11 beetles of P. japonica were caught in 3 traps (out of 10 traps) surrounding the highway station in Lukovica and 8 beetles in 5 different traps (out of 8 traps) placed in the surrounding area of highway station Barje in Ljubljana and 1 beetle at the highway station Dul in Novo Mesto (South-Eastern Slovenia). Five additional pheromone traps were placed in the area surrounding these findings. No damage on host plants was observed during visual inspections in the surrounding area. A demarcated area has been established in Lukovica and in Ljubljana in line with Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1584 and eradication measures will be implemented. Public awareness activities have been carried out (media release, distribution of leaflets).
The pest status of Popillia japonica in Slovenia is officially declared as: Transient, actionable, under eradication.
Sources
NPPO of Slovenia (2025-07).
A map of the demarcated area is available at https://www.gov.si/podrocja/kmetijstvo-gozdarstvo-in-prehrana/varstvo-rastlin/zdravje-rastlin/bolezni-in-skodljivci-rastlin/japonski-hrosc/
EU (2023) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1584 of 1.8.2023 on measures to prevent the establishment and spread of Popillia japonica Newman and on measures for the eradication and containment of that pest within certain demarcated areas of the Union territory. OJL 194, p. 17–38. http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2023/1584/oj