Detected for the first time in France, this invasive species could be a problem.
If the tiger mosquito is increasingly present in France, due to the hot weather, it is not the only one whose spread is feared this summer. Another insect was detected by the authorities in early July on our territory, on several occasions. This pest coming from Asia has gradually approached French borders. He had notably been seen in Italy, Switzerland and Germany. It is described as “self -clipper”, since it moves easily by landing on different supports, such as objects or other animals. It also rises in our means of transport.
This animal is said to be “polyphagous”, feeding on more than 400 species of plants such as vines, corn, soy or even fruit trees. During the summer period, it gathers in colony on plants and feeds on it until only the ribs remain. Fruits and flowers can also be attacked. In the state of larva, it can ravage lawns. If there is nothing to fear for human health, this invasive species is one of the 20 insects considered to be the most dangerous in Europe from an economic, environmental and social point of view. It is classified in European regulations as a “priority quarantine organization”.
This harmful was detected for the first time in France in July in the Grand Est thanks to traps. The Regional Directorate of Food, Agriculture and Forestry (DRAAF) said, in a press release, that the “isolated character of these two catches and the location close to the communication axes (goods station and motorway area), suggest that these are interceptions of self-center individuals, who would have moved through human transport (train, truck)”. However, he could continue to spread.
This insect is the Japanese beetle. It is tiny, barely 10 mm long and 6 mm wide, the size of a coffee bean. Metal green in color and with copper brown wings, it is recognized above all by its “white silk tufts” visible on the edge of the abdomen. They do not confuse it with other similar species, such as the Horticultural Hanneton or the Bronzé Hanneton.
This scarab is voracious, it feeds and devastates many host plants: corn, soy, vineyards, roses, strawberries, leafy trees. It is a scourge: the larvae does a lot of damage on the herbagic surfaces, such as grasses of grasses, lawn, golf courses.
The installation of traps has therefore multiplied to avoid a larger invasion. In these, the animal is attracted to odors of flowers and falls to the bottom of a container from which it can no longer come out. A call to report its presence has also been launched to locate potential new risk areas.
