Wildlands and food authority hunt invasive beetle in Emmen greenhouse

Wildlands Adventure Zoo in Emmen and the NVWA, the Dutch food and consumer product safety authority, are searching the zoo's large tropical greenhouse for the bark beetle Euwallacea fornicatus. The beetle was found in the greenhouse two years ago. Field research runs until 13 November.

The beetle, originally from Asia, bores tunnels in plants and can carry disease-causing fungi, so branches or whole trees can be lost. The European Union has put the species on its list of pests to be controlled and treats it as an invasive exotic species. Wildlands wants to stop it spreading and wipe it out.

The beetle is only about 3 millimetres long, and the greenhouse covers about 16,000 square metres and is 23 metres high. All trees were mapped and the greenhouse was divided into sections. Teams check the trees one by one with binoculars, torches and aerial work platforms. Trees with damage get a ribbon.

The park expected 200 to 300 trees. "But we have double that," said Jan-Minze Zomer, Wildlands manager for animal and park management. "We have 700 trees in the greenhouse, not counting the palms and banana plants. So it's still quite a jungle."

After the field research, the data must be analysed before conclusions can be drawn. The results can then show the best way to control the beetle and what to consider for new planting. Zomer said the knowledge can be shared with other gardens and parks in Europe. "It is very interesting that we can contribute to this," he said.