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Italy's vineyards under siege by iridescent green invaders
20 Jul
Summary
- Japanese beetles are an invasive menace to Italian orchards and vineyards.
- The pest arrived in Europe in 2014 and is spreading rapidly.
- Beetles weaken plants by consuming leaves, reducing grape production.
The Japanese beetle, an iridescent green insect native to Japan, has become a significant agricultural pest in Italy. First identified near Milan's Malpensa airport in 2014, this invasive species has since spread to northeastern regions like Lombardy, Piedmont, and Valle d'Aosta.
Luciano Zoppo Ronzero, a winemaker, reports the beetles are steadily advancing through historic terraced vineyards above Donnas. The insects' consumption of leaf pulp weakens plants, reducing production without immediately killing them. This poses a threat to grape ripening and overall harvest quality.
With no natural predators and an appetite for over 300 plant types, the Japanese beetle is a priority pest for the European Union. While management focuses on containment in Italy, Switzerland, and Germany, eradication remains a hope in France and Spain. The beetles, which also damage lawns and playing fields via their grub larvae, have been detected near Verona's airport.
Efforts to combat the pest include introducing microscopic parasites to attack grubs, using pheromone traps, and employing pesticide treatments on steep terrains. These methods are labor-intensive and offer short-lived effectiveness as the beetle population continues to rise, impacting fruit, grass, and ornamental plants.
