Japanese beetle is spreading in Kloten – that’s why it is hunted with drastic means

The first Japanese beetle population north of the Alps was discovered in Kloten ZH. The introduced pest threatens cultivated plants and green spaces. The hunt for the insects is a race against time. If eradication fails, there is a risk of further spread in Europe.

The Japanese beetle in Kloten was discovered a few days ago, reported Tuesday at a media conference in Zurich. The first repayment measures were immediately initiated. The beetles must also be controlled in private gardens.

According to experts, the source of infection in Kloten is currently still manageable. However, swift and decisive action is now needed to successfully eradicate the plague. Otherwise, there is a risk of spreading in German-speaking Switzerland and neighboring countries in the near future.

From now on, in the affected municipality of Kloten, a ban on watering lawns and green areas will apply until the end of September. This is to prevent the female beetles from laying their eggs in wet soil.

In addition, host plants of the Japanese beetle, such as roses, fruit trees and berry bushes, are treated with an insecticide near the source of infestation by the end of July – even in private gardens. Green waste, compost, plants with roots in soil or organic substrate and soil material may no longer be transported from Kloten.

Japanese beetles are relatively easy to spot, even for laymen, despite the risk of confusion with native species. Characteristic of the beetle, which is about 1 centimeter long, are the five bright tufts of hair on the sides of the beetle.

It is currently unknown where the Japanese beetle population in Kloten came from. An analysis of the genome should be able to draw conclusions about the origin in the coming weeks. According to experts, it is conceivable that they were brought in via the nearby airport.

However, it is more likely that they were brought overland from the canton of Ticino or from northern Italy. The plague has been spreading for several years, causing damage to the southern side of the Alps.

The Japanese beetle can wreak havoc on plants and greenery. When choosing its host plants, it is not very picky: it eats about 300 plants from different plant families. Think of berries, fruit trees, vines or corn, but also roses and trees such as maples, birch or linden. (sda)