Japanese beetles upon a green leaf

Japanese Beetle

During routine pest surveillance in 2024 conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), a low number of Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) were detected in Kamloops. Japanese beetles are a federally regulated and quarantined pest in Canada under the Plant Protection Act.  If left unmanaged this pest can cause significant damage to parks, golf courses, gardens and agriculture crops. 

How Does the Japanese Beetle Cause Damage? 

This insect can cause significant damage during two life stages. During the larval (grub) stage they feed on fibrous root systems, causing damage to grass, shrubs, turf and garden crops. This poses a high risk for gardens, lawns, green spaces, orchards and agricultural crops.

During the adult stage they have the ability to quickly attack the foliage, flowers, and fruit of over 300 types of plants and crops such as maple, birch, rose, apple, grapevines, fruit trees (peach, apple, apricot, cherry and plum) and berries (blueberries, raspberries and blackberries).

Click here to view a list of common affected host plants.

How to Identify Japanese Beetle 

Physical features of the Japanese beetle:

  • oval-shaped  
  • approximately 10 millimeters long and 6 millimeters wide  
  • head and thorax are metallic green
  • wing coverings are metallic copper-brown
  • white tufts of hair along the sides and rear of the abdomen 

Click here to view Japanese beetle look-alike species.

Signs of damage on your plants may include:  

  • lacy, skeletonized feeding damage on leaves
  • large, irregularly shaped chewed portions on some flowers 

Response and Treatment 

To reduce the spread of Japanese beetles in BC, the City is part of a collaborative response with a number of agencies and municipalities to take proactive and preventative measures. Key members include:

  • Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS)
  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
  • BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food (BCMAF)  
  • Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC)
  • BC Landscape and Nursery Association (BCLNA)
  • City of Vancouver
  • City of Burnaby
  • City of Port Coquitlam
  • City of Richmond
  • Other governmental and non-governmental stakeholders 

What is the City doing?

The City is partnering with the federal and provincial governments, industry, and non-governmental organizations to support efforts in managing this potentially harmful pest. The City has been directed by the Province to treat land in the area of Exhibition Park in the downtown core. This method is the most effective way to control and prevent further spread.

Treatment

Treatment will be conducted on public lands within the treatment area in spring 2025. This includes turf areas within boulevards, medians and landscape beds located on public land.  

The most effective treatment method for Japanese beetle is a larvicide called Acelepryn, which is applied directly on the soil in spring and targets the root-eating grubs. The treatment is safe and not harmful to humans, pets, other animals, or pollinators like bees and butterflies. Acelepryn is approved for use in Canada by Health Canada and is permitted under Kamloops’ Pesticide Use Control Bylaw No. 26-4.

The City is providing direct notification to surrounding property owners before treatment takes place on public land, and the notification includes information for treatment of private property. 

Regulatory Requirements

To prevent the spread of Japanese beetle in Kamloops, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is reviewing regulatory requirements at and around the sites where Japanese beetles have been detected. 

Any updates related to federal requirements for residents will be posted on the CFIA's website before adult Japanese beetle flying season begins on June 15. Visit Canada.ca/JapaneseBeetle regularly to find out what requirements affect you and how you can help prevent the spread. 

Requirements may include movement restrictions on items (e.g. plants with soil attached) which are considered a high-risk pathway to spread Japanese beetle. A CFIA-issued movement certificate may be required to move these items out of areas where Japanese beetle has been detected.

Details on the Japanese beetle requirements will be shared once confirmed and published by the CFIA. Current Japanese beetle requirements are available in the CFIA's plant health directive; Phytosanitary requirements to prevent the spread of Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, in Canada and the United States, D-96-15. 

Japanese beetle regulated areas in BC are posted here.   

Help Reduce the Spread of Japanese Beetle 

Here are a few good practices to help reduce the chance of spreading Japanese beetle or larvae. This is especially important if you are in a Japanese beetle treatment area!

  • Minimize the movement of plants with soil attached.
  • Keep plants, soil, and root balls on site whenever possible.
  • Mulch plant waste in place or compost on site whenever possible. 
  • If moving plants, first shake off any soil, soil-related matter and/or growing media attached; cover and secure your load to prevent hitchhiking beetles from flying out into areas where no beetles are present. 
  • Clean all soil from boots, clothing equipment and tools, including: lawn mowers, rakes, shovels, trimmers, wheelbarrows, brooms, etc., before you go to another site. Diligence is especially important when cleaning aerating and power raking equipment because these types of equipment can present a significant risk for carrying different Japanese beetle life stages.
  • Always check for hitchhikers! Japanese beetles can hitch a ride on clothing, pets, sports bags, picnic blankets, bicycles, footwear and vehicles. Shake it, before you take it!

Report Japanese beetle sightings to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.