The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food the cities of Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Richmond and Vancouver, along with other industry and non-governmental stakeholders are collaborating on an ongoing response to prevent the spread of Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) in British Columbia (BC).
Japanese beetle has been found annually in BC since it was first detected in 2017, in the False Creek area of Vancouver. In 2023, it was detected in Burnaby, Port Coquitlam and Vancouver.
The potential consequences of Japanese beetle establishment in BC include severe damage to nurseries, farms, lawns, landscapes, golf courses, gardens and parks, and harm to the province's horticultural and agricultural sectors. The spread of this beetle will result in increased costs to municipalities, industry and the public due to losses and Japanese beetle control measures. Establishment may also result in the loss of BC's Japanese beetle category 1 pest-free status, and industry requirements to set-up and maintain Japanese beetle certification programs.
Report sightings in British Columbia
Notices to industry
- Notice to industry: Changes to Japanese beetle requirements in British Columbia
- Archived – Notice to industry: Expansion of regulated area in British Columbia for Japanese beetle (April 21, 2022)
Response activities
Movement controls
Apply for a movement certificate (PDF 134 kb)
In 2018, a regulated area was created in response to the 2017 beetle detections in the False Creek area of Vancouver, British Columbia. The regulated area was revised in 2019 and, again, in 2022 based on surveillance data collected by the CFIA.
On May 5, 2023, Japanese beetle regulated areas were created in the cities of Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Vancouver, in the province of BC.
Until further notice, the CFIA is restricting the movement of plants with soil and soil-related material attached that is infested or likely to be infested with Japanese beetle, in accordance with the Phytosanitary requirements to prevent the spread of Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, in Canada and the United States (D-96-15).
A CFIA-issued movement certificate is required to move these items out of the regulated areas. This restriction is in effect year-round, and is intended to reduce the risk of unintentional human-assisted spread of the beetle.
Find out if you are in a Japanese beetle regulated area
Learn more about the CFIA's movement controls
- D-96-15: Phytosanitary requirements to prevent the spread of Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, in Canada and the United States
- Guidance for the movement of plants with soil or soil-related matter attached that are leaving a Japanese beetle regulated area located in British Columbia
- Revoked – Amended Japanese Beetle Ministerial Order
Surveillance
Enhanced trapping plan for Japanese beetle
As a result of the initial 2017 detections of Japanese beetle in the False Creek area of Vancouver and subsequent detections, the CFIA is carrying out enhanced surveillance for Japanese beetle in the lower mainland of British Columbia.
Traps will be concentrated in the areas where Japanese beetle has been found. The surveillance program provides the CFIA and its key stakeholders with more information about the presence and distribution of Japanese beetle in BC.
The traps contain a Japanese beetle attractant which is a combination of a floral lure and a pheromone. The traps and lures do not pose a risk to animals or humans. Anyone who sees a trap is asked not to touch it.
| Year | Total number of Japanese beetle traps placed | Surveillance result (total number of Japanese beetle detections) |
Location(s) of Japanese beetle detections (total number within the municipality) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5191 detection and delimitation traps | 644 in 72 traps | Burnaby (29) Port Coquitlam (611) Vancouver (4) |
| 2022 | 5928 detection and delimitation traps | 201 in 68 traps | Burnaby (35) Port Coquitlam (126) Richmond (1) Vancouver (39) |
| 2021 | 2790 detection and delimitation traps | 79 in 45 traps | Burnaby (5) Port Coquitlam (1) Vancouver (73) |
| 2020 | 2507 detection and delimitation traps | 214 in 39 traps | Port Coquitlam (1) Vancouver (213) |
| 2019 | 2344 detection and delimitation traps | 1157 in 51 traps | Vancouver (1157) |
| 2018 | 2088 detection and delimitation traps | 8276 in 98 traps | Delta (1) Vancouver (8275) |
| 2017 | 1425 detection and delimitation traps | 958 in 42 traps | Vancouver (958) |
| 2016 | 505 detection traps | No detections | No detections |
| 2015 | 442 detection traps | No detections | No detections |
| 2014 | 367 detection traps | No detections | No detections |
| 2013 | 278 detection traps | No detections | No detections |
| 2012 | 331 detection traps | No detections | No detections |
| 2011 | 282 detection traps | No detections | No detections |
| 2010 | 545 detection traps | No detections | No detections |
Read the full Japanese beetle survey report for British Columbia
Treatment
The British Columbia Plant Protection Advisory Council conducts an annual risk-analysis of Japanese beetle surveillance results collected by the CFIA to make science-based recommendations for the ongoing response in British Columbia. The council's current recommendations include the treatment of both public and private lands with turf grass and/or landscape beds in and around detection sites.
Province of British Columbia
Given the serious damage that Japanese beetle can do to parks, lawns, golf courses, landscapes and the agriculture industry, the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food is leading a coordinated effort to eradicate the pest.
The larvicide products (e.g. acelepryn) used to treat for this pest are approved for use in Canada by the Government of Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency. Adult Japanese beetles and larvae make contact with or ingest the products while they are feeding.
Learn more about the provincial eradication program: British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food – Japanese Beetle Pest Alert.
Treatment of public lands
During the spring and summer of 2023, treatment of public lands with turf, grass and/or landscape beds in and around areas where Japanese beetle has been detected will be completed.
Information about public land treatment:
- City of Burnaby
- City of Coquitlam – No beetles were detected within the city of Coquitlam in 2022. No treatment actions are planned at this time
- City of Port Coquitlam – Japanese beetle Treatment
- City of Richmond – Public land in and around the 2022 detection site of one Japanese beetle will be completed in 2023.
- City of Vancouver – Japanese beetle treatment and containment
- City of Vancouver – Treating City property
Treatment of private property
There is no requirement for the mandatory treatment of private property. The British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food is working with the cities of Burnaby, Port Coquitlam, and Vancouver, along with the landscaping industry, to establish voluntary treatment of private properties located in the vicinity of where Japanese beetle has been detected.
Information about private land treatment:
Members of the Japanese beetle response in British Columbia
Along with the CFIA, these groups are participating in the planning and implementation of the ongoing response to Japanese beetle in British Columbia:
- British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food
- British Columbia Plant Protection Advisory Council
- British Columbia Landscape and Nursery Association
- City of Burnaby
- City of Coquitlam
- City of Port Coquitlam
- City of Richmond
- City of Vancouver
- Invasive Species Council of British Columbia
- Metro Vancouver Regional District