A RECENTLY arrived species of beetle which threatens Irish eucalyptus plantations has been found in Co Kerry. Work to eliminate it is ongoing.
Paropsisterna gloriosa, which is native to Australia, was first discovered here in 2007. Scientists believe it may have "hitchhiked" around Kerry which has the largest infestation.
The brightly coloured beetle was first noticed by producers of eucalyptus foliage in Kerry where the trade is worth €4 million annually. It caused enormous damage to foliage in the area. Last September it was formally identified by Australian experts as being a native to the Blue Mountains in New South Wales.
According to a report in Teagasc's T Researchmagazine, the species was not known to occur anywhere else in the world, but has been found by quarantine officers in Britain.
"Based on damage levels and beetle densities, the initial site of introduction to Ireland appears to have been near Kilgarvan in Kerry," said the report.
By recording damage levels at all foliage plantations and mapping trade relations between foliage producers, research at Teagasc had been able to identify "hitchhiking" as a key factor behind its spread.
"Plantations which contracted the same foliage pickers were most susceptible to contamination by the beetle," the report continued.
"Adult beetles respond to danger, including the presence of humans, by gliding to the ground and hiding among leaf litter and ground mosses. However, where densities are high, inevitably some beetles become concealed in clothing and equipment. These are then easily transported the long distances between plantation sites."
The report said awareness of the new exotic species and introducing protocol to stop its spread meant growers were able to manage its spread this year.
"The beetle now occurs only at very low densities in some commercial foliage plantations, many abandoned plots have been cut down and removed and some growers regularly monitor and treat their crops to safeguard against the establishment of the beetle.
"Nevertheless, the small pockets of beetles which still occur in Kerry will need careful and continued monitoring," it concluded.