Incursion of Popillia japonica in Belgium
In Belgium official surveys (including pheromone traps) for Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae – EPPO A2 List) have been carried out yearly from 2020 onwards. Awareness raising activities have also been conducted and a platform allows the general public to report this pest and other quarantine pests (https://observations.be/species/Q-organismen/species/). In early July 2025, a suspicious observation was reported on this platform: a dead beetle was found in a warehouse of an industrial company that had recently imported a consignment (not subjected to plant health regulations) from an infested area in Europe). The competent authority inspected the site and detected a second dead beetle. Both beetles were officially identified as Popillia japonica. Surveillance (including traps) was set up in the surrounding area, but no beetles have been caught as of August 1st.
The pest status of Popillia japonica in Belgium is officially declared as: Absent, confirmed by survey.
Sources
NPPO of Belgium (2025-08).
Press release: https://favv-afsca.be/fr/decouverte-de-scarabees-japonais-morts-en-belgique-lafsca-appelle-la-vigilance