Keystone-SDA
Japanese beetles have been detected for the first time in the cantons of Vaud and Geneva. Even if it is a small number for the moment, less than 20 insects, the phytosanitary authorities have already taken prevention measures. The beetle is guilty of causing significant damage to crops.
(Keystone-ATS) “In the canton of Vaud, eight Japanese beetles were discovered in Yvorne and four in Montreux, in both cases on motorway areas,” said Phytosanitary inspector at Keystone-Ats on Thursday at the General Directorate of Agriculture, Viticulture and Veterinary Affairs, confirming information from RTS. It is a first, according to him.
“They were undoubtedly brought by road traffic from Italy, Ticino or Valais. They have the distinction of being hitchhiking, that is to say that they take advantage of different locomotion modes such as trucks, motorhomes or cars to make long distances, ”explains the specialist.
The canton has taken prevention measures. “It’s sweet prophylaxis. We have delimited infestation areas in which irrigation and watering are prohibited. It will also be a question of limiting the movements of earth and composts. The objective is to limit the installation of japanese scarab hearths and to slow down their expansion, ”underlines Mr. Jeanrenaud. Some 70 traps have been installed to date, he said.
Five insects in Geneva
In Geneva, five individuals were captured in July in a trap of the canton surveillance network in the Arve-Lac zone, the cantonal agriculture and nature office (OCAN) said on Thursday. The checks have been reinforced in the sector. The other traps remained negative: there is therefore no diffuse presence.
According to the OCAN, it is not possible for the moment not to confirm if they are isolated individuals arrived this year by a transport route or if it is a home. It is nevertheless possible that one or more females have laid in the area, which would imply the presence of a home next year.
Western Switzerland has so far been spared, but there are strong probability of seeing this beetle arriving soon. Vigilance must therefore increase, both in the capture zone as in the rest of the canton. Since the Japanese beetle is classified as a priority quarantine organization, each has the obligation to inform the canton in the event of suspicion or observation.
The awareness of agricultural and horticultural professionals as well as information to the population also increase the chances of detecting the presence of this exotic beetle as quickly as possible. To this is added a cross -border coordination and the control of goods imported by the federal phytosanitary service located at the airport.
Five cantons affected by homes
In Switzerland, the insect continues to spread, according to the Federal Office of Agriculture (OFAG). The latter set up a new emergency plan in place in early July and launched a call for vigilance. The Japanese scarab (Popillia Japanica) is a voracious insect that can cause considerable damage. Adult individuals eat leaves, fruits and flowers over 400 plants.
Currently, five cantons are affected by infestation homes: Valais, Zurich, the two Bâles and Schwyz. Graubünden recently detected their first beetles. In Ticino and in a region of Valais, it is no longer realistic to exterminate the Japanese beetle, but the infested areas concerned have been circumscribed, the OFAG further.
