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Japanese Beetle

Species
Popillia japonica

Japanese beetle is an invasive plant pest that was first introduced to eastern North America from Japan in 1916. Japanese beetle can significantly damage landscape plants, ornamental plants, fruit and vegetable gardens, nurseries, orchards, and agricultural crops. Japanese beetle larvae feed on the roots of turf grass and other plants. Adults are heavy feeders, attacking the flowers, foliage and fruit of more than 250 plant species, including roses, blueberries and grapevines.Japanese beetle is a regulated plant pest in Canada. CFIA has both domestic, import and export regulations for regulated commodities to prevent entry and spread of Japanese beetle.

What does Japanese beetle look like?

Adult Japanese beetles are oval-shaped and approximately 1 cm long. They are metallic green with two bronze wing covers and six white tufts of hair on each side of the abdomen. The larvae look very similar to Chafer beetle and other creamy white C-shaped grubs that are found in the soil.

Where is Japanese beetle found in Canada?

In Canada, Japanese beetle is currently established in Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Certification programs are available for exporters in affected provinces to facilitate the marketing of nursery stock within the United States. In the fall of 2017, the CFIA confirmed the presence of Japanese beetle in the False Creek areas of Vancouver.

What are the impacts?

Japanese beetle is not a risk to human or animal health or food safety. Adult Japanese beetles skeletonize leaves and eat flowers and fruit. They can significantly damage landscape plants, ornamental plants, fruit and vegetable gardens, nurseries, orchards, and agricultural crops. The larvae feed on the roots of turf and other plants and can seriously damage lawns, sports fields, golf courses and turf production.

Where is it now?

Japanese beetle was detected in British Columbia for the first time in 2017. Adult Japanese beetles were found in CFIA traps placed around False Creek in Vancouver. Read more about the detection of Japanese Beetle in BC and the eradication work underway.

How can I help?

  1. Report any insects that you suspect could be Japanese beetle to the CFIA by calling 1-800-442-2342 or using CFIA's online reporting form.
  2. Please leave the Japanese beetle traps alone over summer. Do not move or tamper with them so the beetles can be monitored.
  3. Avoid moving soil, plants with soil, pruning waste and other plant debris as of June 15th within or out of the ‘zone’ (it is illegal to move soil year-round).

Japanese Beetle Resources

 

 

 

 

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Photo credits: adult Japanese beetle (Popilla japonica), with distinguishing characteristic of 6 pairs of white hair patches, photo credit: David Cappaert, bugwood.org; adults feeding on flower head, photo credit: M.G. Klein, USDA ARS, bugwood.org