Japanese beetle detected on the French Riviera for the first time
An invasive Japanese beetle capable of damaging hundreds of plant species has been detected on the French Riviera for the first time.
Two Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica), an invasive pest capable of damaging more than 300 plant species, have been detected on the French Riviera for the first time.
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The male and female beetles were caught in a trap near a major road in Cannes on 18 June, regional authorities announced on Monday.
It marks the first confirmed detection of the species in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, although the insect has already been identified elsewhere in France since 2025.
Officials believe the beetles may have arrived by hitching a ride on a lorry or car.
Additional traps have been deployed around the area, while agricultural inspectors are carrying out further surveys to determine whether the insects were isolated cases or evidence of a wider infestation.
Native to Japan, Popillia japonica is considered a major agricultural pest because it feeds on more than 300 species of food, forest and ornamental plants, including grapevines, fruit trees, berries, lawns and maize.
The beetle became established in Italy in 2014 and Switzerland in 2017 before reaching eastern France last year.