Gestione integrata di Popillia japonica nel nord Italia

The Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica Newman), native to Japan and recently introduced in Italy (2014), is a highly polyphagous insect capable of damaging herbaceous and perennial crops, nursery and ornamental plants. The appearance of an alien species requires the integration of agronomic, biological and chemical actions and the use of decision support systems to protect the crops and landscape. For this purpose, the Phytosanitary Service of Lombardy Region, in collaboration with the University of Brescia, Padova and Verona and a stakeholder association (Assofloro Lombardia), is developing rational and innovative strategies for the management of the problems arising from the introduction of the species (GESPO Project). Here, we present the investigations in progress in Lombardy for the control and containment of the pest. We present three modelling tools supporting the management of the species and the preliminary results of field experiments aimed at testing the effectiveness of different insecticides and biocontrol agents (e.g., entomopathogenic organisms) for the control of larvae and adults.