Authorities in the east of France on Tuesday pointed out to occurrence of an aggressive invasive type of insect – a Japanese citizen – and ordered increased supervision of insect traps and strengthening controls. They also called on the public to report any observations of this type of insect. Informed AFP, writes TASR.
The first two specimens of the Japanese Chrústa were captured in traps 1 and 2 July in Mulhouse and Saint-Hipolyte in the east of France, near the border with Germany and Switzerland. It is assumed that beetles got to France on board a truck, train or car, the regional authorities Grand-Hest said.
These insects, originally from Japan, detected in Italy in 2014, was found in Switzerland in 2017. Last year, infestation was reported by this beetle from Basel, Swiss – a city near the areas of recent findings in France.
In 2019, the European Union described the Japanese Chrústa as one of 20 harmful organisms, which, in her opinion, the Member States should dispose of to prevent them from spreading that she would like to It could have caused damage of billions of euros.
Chrústovce Japanese pose a threat to more than 400 plant species, said the French Food Safety Agency (Anses), which has warned since 2022 that the beetle could reach France. These insects threaten plums, apple trees, vines, corn, soya, green beans and asparagus, but also ornamental plants such as roses.
