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Japanese beetles, first detected near Milan in 2014, are spreading through northern Italy’s vineyards and orchards, damaging plants by eating leaf pulp and weakening production. Farmers report the pests advancing up terraced vineyards, with no natural predators and larvae feeding on grass roots, threatening agricultural output in the Po River Valley.

Japanese beetles are spreading through northern Italy's vineyards and orchards, damaging plants by eating leaves and reducing production. Native to Japan, the beetles were first detected in Europe near Milan in 2014 and are now a priority pest for the EU due to their lack of natural predators and ability to destroy crops.

Japanese beetles, native to Japan, are spreading through northern Italy's vineyards and orchards, damaging plants by creating lattice patterns in leaves and reducing production. First detected near Milan in 2014, the beetles have moved to regions like Lombardy and Piedmont, with no natural predators and a broad plant diet listed as a EU priority pest.