Japanese Beetle

(Popillia japonica)

A Threat to Vegetable, Fruit, Ornamental and Wildland Plants in BC

In July 2017, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) detected Japanese Beetle in a park in Vancouver, BC.  Japanese Beetle is regulated as it is an environmental and economic threat to Canada.

Japanese beetle is an invasive, regulated pest that feeds on the roots of turf grass and above-ground parts of more than 300 plant species including roses, fruit trees, grapevines, and other common landscape and food plants. If this pest spreads, it could cause damage to lawns, landscapes, golf courses, gardens and parks, and harm B.C.’s agricultural sector. It could also affect the beauty and health of Vancouver’s ecosystem.

This was the first detection of this damaging pest in BC, although this pest is now established in Eastern Canada and parts of the USA.