Popillia japonica is observed in Italy and Russia, which climatic conditions does it require? If it would be ubiquitous, would it pose a bigger threat to fruit growing than indigenous scarabaeidae like Phyllopertha horticola (Garden Chafer) which is considered a minor pest.
Temperature and particularly soil moisture are the main factors limiting potential spread of the beetle into new areas. According to Fleming (1972), the Japanese beetle is adapted to regions were the mean soil temperature is between 17.5 and 27.5oC during the summer, and above -9.4oC in the winter.
Fleming WE, 1972. Biology of the Japanese beetle. USDA Technical Bulletin 1449, Washington, DC.
Dear Rik,
Fortunately, Popilia japonica has not been found in Hungary however our ecological conditions suit its demands. It caused and may cause high damage in the US. Regarding ecological conditions of P. japonica, you can find them in textbooks of agricultural entomology. As to Phylloperha horticola, it is native in Hungary but its importance is little. I have observed it sometimes on plants like Rubus caesisus and Tilia cordata.
Her you are some resources on P. japonica:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230130909_Spatial_ecology_of_the_Japanese_beetle_Popillia_japonica
http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/43599
https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/phiw/riskRegister/plant-health/documents/popillia_japonica_pra.pdf
Article Spatial ecology of the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica
Thank you very much Øivind and András for the detailed information, it is much appreciated! I conclude that the threat of invasion in real and that this beetle could be much more harmful for fruit crops than indigenous related species?
Does anyone know if soil type and soil organic matter content as such (so not indirectly by affecting soil temperature and moisture) are also key factors in the spread?
Are there any European institutes proactively monitoring?
Thanks again!
The situation of Popilia presence in Lombardy region (northern Italy) is monitored by the Lombardy Plant Health Service http://www.ersaf.lombardia.it/servizi/Menu/dinamica.aspx?idArea=17296&idCat=36545&ID=36545&TipoElemento=categoria and Piedmont one. EPPO collects notifications on distribution https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/POPIJA/distribution/IT, and the Food and Veterinary Office of the European Commission (DG SANTE) conducts audits on outbreaks and on the implementation of the European phytosanitary legislation and compiles overview reports (none so far on Popilia as fa as I see) http://ec.europa.eu/food/fvo/overview_reports/index.cfm
Since its invasion in Northern America the japanese beetle (JP) has spread very rapidly across the area. Besides the damage by the beetles the grubs form a problem in grass fields like home lawns, sportfields and golfcourses. Its biology resembles that of Phyllopertha horticola. There is a preference for a dry sandy soil type with low watertables during the winterperiod. It seems that JP became established in Northern Italy and will soon occupy the adjacing area in the Provence, in Southern France. I doubt if the distribution will be extensive there, as the soil type is rather calcareous for the larger part. But as it is with insects, they are easily distributed by modern traffic. I expect JP within a few years in North West Europe as well. Many situations in The Netherlands are quite similar to the distribution area in the US. See also www.insectconsultancy.nl.
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