# Japanese beetle spread in Europe > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/japanese-beetle-spread-in-europe > Updated: 2026-08-13T02:45:00.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 5. In late June/early July 2026, two Japanese beetles were captured in Alsace (Mulhouse, Saint‑Hippolyte), confirming the pest’s first presence in France. The French DRAAF and Ministry of Agriculture responded with nationwide trapping and expanded surveillance to Bourgogne‑Franche‑Comté and Provence‑Alpes‑Côte d’Azur. On 23 July, Germany reported its first specimens in Lower Saxony, caught at Hannover Airport. Authorities suspect accidental transport via aircraft or trucks and have intensified monitoring around the airport. At the end of July, French officials announced five additional beetles in Mougins, raising the Alpes‑Maritimes total to seven. The prefecture of Provence‑Alpes‑Côte d’Azur and the ANSES reference laboratory verified the finds, prompting the regional directorate to install more traps and conduct intensive surveys. The spread continued into central Europe: on 6 August, nine live beetles were captured in traps set in the Swiss canton of St. Gallen and the neighbouring Principality of Liechtenstein. Swiss and Liechtenstein experts are coordinating with federal authorities to assess the infestation and consider control actions. On 13 August, the Hungarian National Food Chain Safety Office (Nébih) initiated emergency phytosanitary measures following reports of the pest near the Hungarian border. This follows a sighting of a female specimen in Pince, Slovenia, in July, and a July detection of two male beetles near Graz, Austria. To prevent spread, Nébih deployed pheromone traps in Zala County along major transit routes. Authorities warn that the beetle, which can cause total defoliation, is often transported long distances by humans via vehicles or luggage. ## Claims - The Japanese beetle is classified as a priority quarantine organism by the European Union. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The ANSES national reference laboratory confirmed the identification of the Japanese beetles. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Japanese beetle, native to Asia, was first detected in France in the summer of 2025. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Japanese beetle can attack more than 300 plant species. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Specimens were confirmed by the ANSES national reference laboratory. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Japanese beetle can feed on more than 300 plant species. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Five Japanese beetles were detected in Mougins on 28 July 2026, bringing the total identified in Alpes‑Maritimes to seven. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Regional Directorate of Food, Agriculture and Forests (DRAAF) enhanced surveillance by installing additional traps and conducting intensive surveys. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Five new Japanese beetles were detected in Mougins on 28 July, bringing the total in Alpes‑Maritimes to seven. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Regional Directorate of Food, Agriculture and Forests (DRAAF) has intensified surveillance, adding traps and conducting intensive surveys. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Japanese beetle has been established in northern Italy since 2014 and Switzerland since 2017. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Slovenian authorities detected a Japanese beetle approximately 500 meters from the Hungarian border in Pince. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-13: Japanese beetle detection near Hungarian border triggers Nébih response Nébih has deployed pheromone traps in Zala County after a Japanese beetle was detected near the Slovenian-Hungarian border, sparking fears of an invasive species outbreak. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japanese-beetle-detection-near-hungarian-border-triggers-nbih-response ### 2026-08-06: Japanese beetle specimens captured in Liechtenstein and Swiss canton Live Japanese beetles have been trapped in Liechtenstein and Switzerland’s St. Gallen canton after a dead specimen was found a month earlier, prompting authorities to assess infestation and consider control. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japanese-beetle-specimens-captured-in-liechtenstein-and-swiss-canton ### 2026-07-27: Japanese beetle detections in southern France spark agricultural alarm Five new Japanese beetles were found in Mougins, France, bringing the total in Alpes‑Maritimes to seven; the EU‑priority pest threatens over 300 plant species and has prompted intensified surveillance. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japanese-beetle-detections-increase-across-france-especially-alpes-maritimes ### 2026-07-23: Japanese beetle detected at Hannover Airport, first record in Niedersachsen Germany’s plant protection service confirmed the first Japanese beetle find in Lower Saxony at Hannover Airport, with two likely introduced via transport; monitoring is being intensified due to the pest’s risk 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japanese-beetle-detected-at-hannover-airport-first-record-in-niedersachsen ### 2026-07-23: Japanese beetle spotted in France prompts heightened surveillance and eradication measures Japanese beetles were found in Alsace, France, triggering nationwide traps and monitoring as the EU’s top quarantine pest threatens over 300 crops. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japanese-beetle-spotted-in-france-prompts-heightened-surveillance-and-eradication-measures --- Cite as: Japanese beetle spread in Europe. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/japanese-beetle-spread-in-europe