Invasive insect
The Japanese scarab arrives in the canton of Vaud in small steps
The beetle, which attacks vines and cultivated plants, spreads to Switzerland. The ten insects captured in Montreux and Yvorne does not yet.
Here’s what a Japanese beetle looks like. If you spot it, inform the phytosanitary inspectorate of your canton.
Yvain Genevay/Tamedia
- Japanese beetles were detected in Montreux and Yvorne a few weeks ago. Their number is still very low, but vigilance is in order.
- The beetle, which attacks cultures, has not yet been spotted elsewhere in the canton, despite a network of 70 traps spread across the territory.
- The population can help stop this propagation by signaling any capture of an insect at the Cantonal Phytosanitary Inspectorate.
The Japanese scarab spreads to Switzerland, so that the Confederation alerted to this “Serious threat” at the start of the summer. This is that this invasive insect, which has no predator, can do considerable damage to crops. While the infestation threaten Valais, After Ticino, a dozen beetles were captured in Montreux and Yvorne, inform the RTS this Thursday. Should we already worry about the canton of Vaud?
Vaud still little affected
Michel Jeanrenaud, Vaudois Phytosanitary inspector, explains that these detections date from a few weeks already and that the situation has not changed greatly since. “In Montreux, they go back to the end of June and there were no more captures. In Yvorne, on the other hand, the first insects were detected in early July and since we have been capturing approximately one per week. It remains too little to talk about a home, especially since we have reinforced the trapping devices. ”
In addition, he ensures that the Japanese beetle has not been spotted elsewhere in the canton for the moment, despite a network of 70 traps throughout the territory. They are installed in most campsites, which are potentially passing places for vacationers from infestation areas, such as Simplon, in Valais, Ticino and northern Italy. But capture devices have also been placed on motorway areas, sorting stations, gardening stores and other places where vegetable boxes pass.
Measures in Montreux and Yvorne
Japanese beetles are known to tackle vines and other cultivated plants. Michel Jeanrenaud, however, nuances the extent of the risk. “Imaging an infestation ravaging the entire Vaudois vineyard would be disproportionate. The Japanese scarab preferably settles on well irrigated terrain, which is not the case with the vines. However, it can develop, for example, on a sports field and cause locally damage to neighboring crops. ” This is why in Yvorne and Montreux, one of the main measures to avoid the installation of a household is to prohibit irrigation in a demarcated area.
To block the Japanese scarab road, the population also has its role to play. People from risk at risk can in particular control their personal belongings, where they can nestle. Large as a 5 cents, a copper brown-green, he has five white silk tufts on the side and two tufts on the abdomen. If you capture it, take photos, keep it in the freezer and inform Vaudois phytosanitary inspectorate.
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