In the last months, the IPM Popillia project, funded by Horizon 2020, has collaborated with SPOTTERON to create informational and dissemination materials about the invasive Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica), which has been spreading across Europe for several years.
As part of the IPM Popillia Consortium, SPOTTERON created the design and visuals for the campaign and compiled the project content and information about the beetle. In the next step, the material was then reviewed and modified in collaboration with the scientists. Finally, with the help of the consortium, all materials were translated into English, German, Italian, French, and Portuguese.
The aim of the material is to inform the public, especially those who work or live near agricultural areas, gardens, and regions associated with food production and transport. It's vital for these individuals to be aware of the beetle, as it presents a significant threat to food security and can lead to substantial harvest losses.
Infographics and Illustrations for Citizen Scientists
For the dissemination materials, SPOTTERON illustrated the Japanese beetle, its larva, and its life cycle to provide scientific information in a vivid and appealing way for potential Citizen Scientists.
Information Brochure (A4)
The core of the dissemination package is the Information Brochure, which contains all the essential information about the beetle, including its host plants, the spread of the species, and details on when and where to find and recognize the Japanese beetle.
Poster (A3)
Dissemination package in several languages
The dissemination packages are available for free in all languages and include several materials:
- Infomaterials (InfoSheet (A4), LifeCycle, Poster (A3), Social Media Post (16:9))
- Logos
- Press text
- App Marker Icon
- App Mockups
- QR codes leading to the app stores
Publication
Recently, the materials were published on the IPM Popillia website and sent to contacts in the agricultural sector and plant health services. EPPO OEPP (European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization), e.g., uploaded the materials on their platform.
IPM Citizen Science App
The IPM Citizen Science App allows everyone to upload sightings of the beetle. This initiative helps scientists understand its spread and take the necessary actions to contain it. Moreover, the App provides an easy tool for everyone to report invasive species. Each uploaded sighting of Popillia japonica is reported to national authorities and experts involved in the IPM-Popillia Project.
We want to thank the IPM Consortium for their great engagement and support in creating this dissemination package for the public, as well as everyone who participates in publishing the materials.