Archive · 21 Jul 2026
Japanese Beetle Threatens Northern Italy's Vineyards and Orchards
The Japanese beetle, a shiny green bug from Japan, is causing big problems in Italy.
It eats leaves from over 300 types of plants, including grapes and grass.
This beetle was first seen in Europe near Milan in 2014 and has since spread to many areas in Italy.
It is very hungry and travels in big groups, eating leaves and making plants weak.
This can lower the amount of food and wine that can be grown.
People are trying different ways to stop the beetles, like traps and special parasites, but it is hard.
The beetles are not dangerous to people, but they are a big problem for farmers and vineyards.
Japanese beetles are spreading through Northern Italy's vineyards and orchards, causing significant damage.
First detected in Europe in 2014 near Milan, the beetles have since spread to Lombardy, Piedmont, and Valle d’Aosta.
The beetles eat over 300 types of plants, weakening them and reducing production.
Efforts to contain and eradicate the beetles include pheromone traps, pesticide treatments, and introducing microscopic parasites.
The beetles pose a major threat to agriculture, particularly in Italy's Po River Valley, but exact damage is hard to quantify.
- Who
- Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica)
- What
- Invasion and spread of the Japanese beetle in Northern Italy's vineyards and orchards
- When
- First detected in 2014, currently spreading
- Where
- Northern Italy, particularly Lombardy, Piedmont, and Valle d’Aosta
- Why
- No natural predators and a wide range of host plants
Containment and Eradication
Acceptance and Management
Approach to Pest Control
Containment and Eradication
Focus on eradicating the beetle population, especially in areas where it is newly detected, such as France and Spain.
Acceptance and Management
Manage and contain the beetle population in areas where it is already entrenched, like Italy, Switzerland, and Germany.
- Scientific Name
- Popillia japonica
- First Detected in Europe
- 2014 near Milan’s Malpensa airport
- Affected Regions in Italy
- Lombardy, Piedmont, Valle d’Aosta
- Number of Plants Affected
- Over 300
- Current Status in Italy
- Entrenched and spreading
- Potential Eradication Areas
- France and Spain
- Control Methods
- Pheromone traps, pesticide treatments, introducing microscopic parasites