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.
Learn more about Japanese beetle
Landscape industry professionals are urged to be aware of this pest and report sightings of Japanese Beetle to the CFIA. CFIA is also monitoring for the presence of Japanese Beetle using traps located on a grid through Vancouver area.
Report sightings of Japanese beetle
Photo Credits: David Cappaert, Bugwood.org
Government, industry and non-governmental stakeholders are working together to respond to this detection, including:
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture
- City of Vancouver
- City of Burnaby
- City of Port Coquitlam
- Invasive Species Council of BC
- BC Landscape & Nursery Assn
- BC Agriculture Council
- Western Canada Turfgrass Assn
- Metro Vancouver
The Japanese Beetle is an invasive alien species, new to BC. The Invasive Species Council of BC is involved in reducing the spread of all invasive alien species, including shellfish, weeds, pests and diseases.
Learn more about the impact of invasive pests
Professional gardeners, arborists and landscapers:
To receive the most current technical information about eradication efforts Click here By signing on to this service, you will be advised of issues and actions regarding Japanese Beetle that may affect your business, including details about green waste, transfer stations, movement restrictions, and more.
For more information, visit the Japanese Beetle Information for the Landscape Industry page.
Learn more about the Japanese Beetle and the program in place to eradicate the pest by visiting one of these websites:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
The Invasive Species Council of BC
The BC Ministry of Agriculture
