Japanese Beetle Flight Season Begins on June 15 - Keep An Eye Out For Beetles!
via Invasives Species Council of BC
If you come across an insect you suspect is Japanese beetle or see signs of potential feeding damage, submit a report using ISCBC’s report form or contact CFIA with photos and the location at which you found the suspect.
Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) | Credit: Ryan Hodnett
Japanese beetle Look-Alike Species
Now is the perfect time to brush up on your Japanese beetle identification as spring brings on an explosion of life. Many insects share similar characteristics, but there are a few key features you can use to confirm a Japanese beetle’s identity.
• metallic emerald green head
• metallic copper-brown wing coverings
• 12 white tufts of hair around the abdomen
ISCBC receives many community reports of suspected Japanese beetle. Check out ISCBC’s Look-Alike page to see which insects are commonly confused for Japanese beetle.
2022 CFIA Japanese beetle Survey Results
Japanese beetle is a highly destructive pest that attacks 250 different plant species by feeding on the roots, leaves and fruit of a wide variety of plants, crops and trees. The CFIA Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) survey is a trapping program designed to detect the occurrence of adult Japanese beetle in BC.
And the results are in! The CFIA has published the outcomes of the 2022 Japanese beetle survey. An effective series of treatments in 2021 led to another significant reduction of beetles in Vancouver, however, there have been increased detections in Burnaby and Port Coquitlam. The results of the 2022 survey have helped determine which areas require treatment and regulation this year. To view the 2022 results and other years report please visit the CFIA webpage.
The Japanese beetle Ministerial Order Has Been Revoked
Now that the Japanese beetle Ministerial Order has been revoked in the Cities of Burnaby and Vancouver, the movement controls for soil alone and above-ground plant material (cut flowers, green waste: grass clippings, prunings, etc.) have been removed and are no longer in effect.
Movement controls for plants with soil or soil-related matter attached will continue to be regulated year-round according to changes to the Phytosanitary requirements to prevent the spread of Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, in Canada and the United States (D-96-15).
Credit: Darren Mueller, Bugwood.org
2023 Changes to Japanese beetle Regulations
• Changes to Regulated Areas (RA)
• Expanded areas and new boundaries for Vancouver and Burnaby
• New RA in Port Coquitlam
• Changes to movement restrictions
• Regulated materials: plants with soil or soil-related matter attached
• No longer regulated: soil or plants and plant parts with no soil attached
Japanese beetle Regulated Areas
If you live in a Japanese beetle Regulated Area, you may need a Movement Certificate to transport plants with soil or soil-related matter attached out of a Regulated Area. Find out if you live in a Regulated Area here. Movement certificates can be applied for through CFIA. Please see the following table for more information on what articles require a movement certificate.
How You Can Help Prevent the Spread of Japanese beetle – Best Practices
• Whether you’re working for a client or gardening in your own home, when possible, keep soil and green waste on site! Not moving branches, clippings, and excess soil reduces the opportunity for Japanese beetle to be introduced to new areas.
• Compost! Composting plant waste on-site helps prevent the spread of Japanese beetle at all life stages.
• Clean soil from all equipment, tools, and boots, especially if you intend to use them in another location.
• If you must move any green waste off site, shake plants to remove potential Japanese beetles prior to loading onto your vehicle for transport to a disposal site.
Movement Requirements for regulated articles leaving the regulated area.
Spring Treatments are Underway
If you live in an area where Japanese beetle has been found, you may notice treatments going on in your neighbourhood. Treatment areas are determined based on the results of last year’s CFIA survey. Spring is the ideal time to treat Japanese beetle larvae before they emerge from the soil as adult beetles.
Acelepryn is a low-risk larvicide applied to turf grass and isn’t harmful to humans, pets, or other animals, including pollinator insects. More information can be found in the treatment section of the BC Government webpage.
2023 Contacts and Resources
Professional Landscaper Technical Information:
BC Landscape and Nursery Association (BCLNA)
bclna.com/japanesebeetle
604-575-3513
info@bclna.com
Surveillance:
Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
inspection.canada.ca/jb
1-800-442-2342
BCPF.Japanese.beetle@inspection.gc.ca
Eradication Effort:
Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC)
bcinvasives.ca/japanesebeetle
1-888-933-3722
BC Ministry of Agriculture
604-556-3001
Regulated Area & Movement Restrictions:
Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
inspection.canada.ca/jb
1-800-442-2342
Movement Certificates:
Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
604-292-5742
BCPF.Japanese.beetle@inspection.gc.ca
Treatment:
Tracy Hueppelsheuser
BC Ministry of Agriculture
tracy.hueppelsheuser@gov.bc.ca
General Coordination and Outreach:
Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC)
bcinvasives.ca/japanesebeetle
1-888-933-3722
Report Japanese beetle
Japanese beetles are on the move. Report online via the web form or the Report Invasives mobile app.
You can also report suspect Japanese beetles to CFIA by calling 604-292-5742 or to BCPF.Japanese.beetle@inspection.gc.ca (with insect photos when possible).