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Review
. 2023 May 18:3:1175138.
doi: 10.3389/finsc.2023.1175138. eCollection 2023.

Popillia japonica - Italian outbreak management

Paola Gotta  1 , Mariangela Ciampitti  2 , Beniamino Cavagna  2 , Giovanni Bosio  1 , Gianni Gilioli  3 , Alberto Alma  4 , Andrea Battisti  5 , Nicola Mori  6 , Giuseppe Mazza  7 , Giulia Torrini  7 , Francesco Paoli  7 , Giacomo Santoiemma  5 , Anna Simonetto  3 , Federico Lessio  1 , Giorgio Sperandio  3 , Emanuela Giacometto  1 , Alessandro Bianchi  2 , Pio Federico Roversi  7 , Leonardo Marianelli  7
Affiliations
Review

Popillia japonica - Italian outbreak management

Paola Gotta et al. Front Insect Sci. .

Abstract

Popillia japonica, a priority pest for the EU, was first detected in Northern Italy in 2014. Since its discovery, the outbreak extended over an area of more than 16,000 square kilometers in Northern Italy and Southern Switzerland. In this review, we summarize the state-of-the-art of research conducted in Italy on both the spreading capacity and control measures of P. japonica. Chemical, physical, and biological control measures deployed since its detection are presented, by highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. An in-depth study of the ecosystems invaded by P. japonica disclosed the presence and pathogenicity of natural strains of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes, some of which have shown to be particularly aggressive towards the larvae of this pest under laboratory conditions. The Plant Health authorities of the Lombardy and Piedmont regions, with the support of several research institutions, played a crucial role in the initial eradication attempt and subsequently in containing the spread of P. japonica. Control measures were performed in the infested area to suppress adult populations of P. japonica by installing several traps (e.g., for mass trapping, for auto-dissemination of the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae, and "attract & kill"). For larval control, the infested fields were treated with commercial strains of the entomopathogenic fungus M. anisopliae and nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. Future studies will aim at integrating phenological and spread models developed with the most effective control measures, within an ecologically sustainable approach.

Keywords: EU priority pest; Japanese beetle; biological control agents; biological invasion; chemical control; pest management; spatial analysis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors GT and LM declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The reviewer J-CG declared a past co-authorship with the authors AB and GG to the handling Editor.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Damage caused by adults of Popillia japonica on vineyards.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Italian demarcated area of Popillia japonica.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Life cycle of Popillia japonica in the Italian outbreak.
Figure 4
Figure 4
(A) Attract & kill device with long-lasting insecticide-treated net. (LLIN) The LLIN is mounted on a tripod frame made of telescopic tubes extendable up to 2 m in height (B) Traps (H: 35 cm, L: 60 cm, W: 18 cm) for auto-dissemination of the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Trial of physical barriers deployed above the soil in containers for ornamental plants in a nursery.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Treatments with entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) in fields infested with Popillia japonica larvae.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Hexamermis popilliae: (A) free living specimen sensu Mazza et al. (92); (B) third-stage postparasitic juvenile emerging from Popillia japonica larva.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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