Japanese beetle advances through northern Italy's vineyards and orchards, frustrating farmers

DONNAS, Italy (AP) — The iridescent green beetles native to Japan have become a growing menace in Italy, swarming through orchards and vineyards and leaving behind devastating lattice patterns in leaves that weaken the plants and reduce production.

The Popillia japonica, or Japanese beetle, is a familiar pest in the United States, where it arrived more than a century ago.

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Japanese beetle advances through northern Italy’s vineyards and orchards, frustrating farmers | Ap Lifestyles