Nature Japanese experts warn of rapid spread of foreign bookworms

[thomas]

I saw this on the morning news. And no, it's not about bibliophilic illegal immigrants.

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Japanese researchers have raised concerns about the rapid spread of a non-native bookworm species that feeds on paper and threatens historical materials. The insect, Ctenolepisma calvum—known as the ghost silverfish—is around one centimetre long and originates from Europe and Central America. The insect feeds on paper, posing a threat to institutions such as museums, libraries, and archives that safeguard old manuscripts and records. It was first detected in Japan in 2022, when reports from five prefectures confirmed its presence.

A survey by a group of researchers at the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties shows that the species had spread to 19 prefectures, including Hokkaido and those in the Kyushu region, by the end of September this year. The researchers say that the ghost silverfish has expanded its habitat through the movement of documents and materials between institutes. The researchers have found that females can reproduce without males. They are warning that even one egg is enough to allow the species to proliferate. The institute plans to launch a website dedicated to the ghost silverfish on Tuesday. It also plans to send, free of charge, sticky traps and bait containing expellant to facilities where the pest has been found. A senior official at the institute, Sato Yoshinori, said that the species has spread faster than expected due to its strong reproductive power. He warned that it can propagate itself across Japan and cause damage to cultural properties.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20251104_05/

 

[Ukigumo]

Those pesky foreigners again

 

[salyavin]

Yea by the headline I was imagining a large number of book reading foreigners invading book stores and libraries in Japan.