Drought fuels beetle larva spread across Upper Austria

Beetle larvae are spreading through Upper Austrian grassland after an exceptionally hot and dry summer, threatening to strip entire meadows bare, ORF Upper Austria reported.

The Upper Austrian Chamber of Agriculture has already received the first reports of damage. The affected land was initially in the Innviertel, the Salzkammergut and the central region.

Drought damaged grassland provides favourable conditions for the larvae, known in German as Engerlinge. The thick, yellowish-white beetle larvae feed on the grass roots and can leave affected meadows completely bare.

More larvae expected next year

The scale of the problem this year will become clearer in the coming weeks. Agriculture experts are also warning of wider consequences in 2027, which will be a flight year for cockchafers and June beetles. These beetles develop over a three-year cycle and emerge from the ground in large numbers during a flight year to mate and lay new eggs.

Where drought damage has not yet been fully repaired, further problems could follow. Farmers are therefore being urged to pay particular attention to maintaining and caring for their grassland this autumn.