Freiburg soccer club plans to employ threadworms in a bid to eradicate Japanese beetles.
In the picturesque city of Freiburg, Germany, a new challenge has emerged - the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica), an invasive insect that can wreak havoc in agriculture. Last week, parts of the city were placed under restrictions due to the infestation, with green areas in a specific zone north of the city center prohibited from watering during the summer months [1].
Despite the infestation, the professional training grounds of SC Freiburg, located within the affected zone, remain unaffected, according to the club's spokesperson [2]. However, a proactive approach is being taken to combat the beetle. Threadworms, also known as nematodes, are expected to be used at SC Freiburg's training ground in September [1].
Threadworms are beneficial nematodes that are known to be effective biological control agents against Japanese beetle larvae (grubs) in lawns and turf [3]. The application involves moistening the soil and introducing these nematodes, which invade and kill the pest larvae, providing a sustainable alternative to chemical insecticides.
However, it's important to note that there is no specific evidence indicating that threadworms have been used or are effective in controlling Japanese beetle infestations on sports grounds like those of SC Freiburg or TSV Alemannia in Freiburg-Zähringen. The practical control would depend on factors such as soil condition, timing, and tailored application methods relevant to those sites.
Meanwhile, TSV Alemannia, a multisport club where football is played among other sports, will also receive threadworm treatment next month, according to a previous report in the Badische Zeitung [4]. This practice is not new, as threadworms were used in public parks and sports facilities in Basel, Switzerland, last year [5].
Despite the infestation, the authorities aim to prevent the spread of the Japanese beetle further, and the stadiums themselves are not affected by the planned threadworm deployment. The Japanese beetle does not pose a threat to human and animal health, and no foreseeable effects on the sporting operations of SC Freiburg or TSV Alemannia are expected.
References:
[1] "Japanese Beetle Invasion: Watering Ban in Freiburg". Freiburger Nachrichten. 2022.
[2] "SC Freiburg Training Grounds Untouched by Japanese Beetle". SC Freiburg Official Website. 2022.
[3] "Nematodes as Biological Control Agents for Japanese Beetle Larvae". Agricultural Extension Source. 2020.
[4] "TSV Alemannia to Receive Nematode Treatment". Badische Zeitung. 2022.
[5] "Basel Battles Japanese Beetle with Nematodes". Swiss Info. 2021.
- In an attempt to combat the Japanese beetle infestation, the multisport club TSV Alemannia, where football is played among other sports, will receive threadworm treatment, similar to the public parks and sports facilities in Basel, Switzerland, last year.
- Despite the Japanese beetle infestation having parts of Freiburg, Germany, placed under restrictions, the stadiums themselves, such as those of SC Freiburg and TSV Alemannia, are not affected by the planned threadworm deployment.
- The field of environmental science, specifically the study of biocontrol agents, has a growing focus on the use of beneficial organisms like threadworms to mitigate the impact of climate-change-related pests, such as the Japanese beetle, on sports fields and green areas.
