Swiss canton fights spread of Japanese beetle

The invasive Japanese beetle has been discovered in Valais, southwestern Switzerland. The canton now wants to stop the spread of the voracious plant pest. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Twenty specimens of the Japanese beetle were detected in the Rhone plain in Valais between the end of July and mid-September 2024 in the municipalities of Raron, Visp, Lalden, Brig-Glis, Naters, Ried-Brig and Termen, canton Valais said on Friday. Residents also found a single specimen in a house in Sierre. The canton has issued bans and restrictions in the affected area. These relate to the transportation of compost, green waste, soil, potted plants and the cleaning of equipment and vehicles for ground work. Next year, the authorities will continue to control the pest using pheromone traps. In addition, the buffer zone will be monitored more closely. The beetles were probably introduced by road from northern Italy or from the south side of the Simplon, the press release ...