An international campaign coordinated by EPPO to control Colorado Beetle in the Channel Islands

Abstract

Collaboration between the Plant Protection Services of France and the Channel Islands has helped to keep Jersey and Guernsey free of Colorado Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) for over 60 years. The Channel Islands lie close to the coast of the Cotentin peninsula where potato fields are still infested with Colorado Beetle. Joint surveys of the coastal potato fields of Cotentin provide valuable information on beetle populations. Beetle flight records together with local weather data provide the necessary information to issue Colorado Beetle alerts to the Channel Islands during the months of May–July. High risk alerts issued by French Plant Protection colleagues are acted on and inspectors are mobilised to search beaches in Jersey and Guernsey for adult beetles. Farmers are not obliged to control Colorado Beetle in France. However, there has been an agreement negotiated in the Cotentin that farmers will treat their fields if beetles are found, with monitoring carried out by staff from a local co‐operative. This co‐operation has proved essential in the Colorado Beetle campaign.