An international campaign coordinated by EPPO to control C olorado B eetle in the C hannel I slands

Collaboration between the P lant P rotection S ervices of F rance and the C hannel I slands has helped to keep J ersey and G uernsey free of C olorado B eetle ( L eptinotarsa decemlineata ) for over 60 years. The C hannel I slands lie close to the coast of the C otentin peninsula where potato fields are still infested with C olorado B eetle. Joint surveys of the coastal potato fields of C otentin provide valuable information on beetle populations. Beetle flight records together with local weather data provide the necessary information to issue C olorado B eetle alerts to the C hannel Islands during the months of M ay– J uly. High risk alerts issued by F rench P lant P rotection colleagues are acted on and inspectors are mobilised to search beaches in J ersey and G uernsey for adult beetles. Farmers are not obliged to control C olorado B eetle in F rance. However, there has been an agreement negotiated in the C otentin 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 C olorado B eetle campaign.