Description
To implement the Action Plan and to ensure the eradication of the pest, the area surrounding the outbreak found in the Municipality of Brentino Belluno was divided into two specific zones
- INFESTED ZONE, which comprises the area confined within a minimum radius of 1 km from the point where the insect was officially found. This restricted perimeter directly affects a portion of the municipal territory of Avio;
- CUSHIONED ZONE, which is a containment and active surveillance strip, extended for at least 5 km radial beyond the infested area. This area affects the remaining part of the Avio territory and a portion of the Municipality of Ala.
PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES
Theentire provincial territory (pest-free area) is in force:
- an absolute ban on the installation of do-it-yourself traps: commercial devices equipped with a pheromone attractant generate a massive attraction of specimens from neighbouring areas, causing an exponential increase in the level of infestation in private gardens and neighbouring cultivated areas;
- the prohibition of tampering with official traps: it is forbidden to touch, move or damage the monitoring traps installed by the technical staff in charge (easily identifiable by the special tag of the Plant Protection Office).
PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES IN THE INFESTED AREA
- Soil movement: it is absolutely forbidden to transport the top layer of soil (up to a depth of 30 cm) and the cultivation substrates used outside the infested zone, in order to prevent the passive dispersion of eggs and overwintering larvae into the subsoil;
- Grass clippings and plant debris: in the period of the insect's flight, between 1 June and 15 September, it is forbidden to transport grass clippings and pruning residues out of the infested area. Private users residing in the infested area must make use of the special container made available free of charge by the competent authorities for the disposal of plant residues produced.
- Lawn irrigation: limit lawn irrigation in the summer (June-August) to hinder egg laying, which is strongly favoured by damp soil.
PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES IN THE BUFFER ZONE
- Enhanced monitoring: an in-depth spatial survey was initiated to rule out the presence of the Japanese beetle in the buffer zone.
- Material handling: the upper soil layer, potting compost and untreated plant residues may only be moved outside the buffer zone if official monitoring by the Provincial Plant Protection Office has formally ruled out the presence of the Japanese beetle.