Japanese Beetle Economic Impact Survey

The BCLNA wants your help! We are conducting a survey to estimate the potential economic cost of a Japanese beetle infestation in the province of BC. 

You, as a business owner or industry association manager, are best positioned to assess this information and provide the estimates for your business or sector.  You may also find working with your IPM services provider and your ag products supplier may assist with making your estimations more accurate.

To start the survey, please follow this at the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/japanesebeetleinbc  

Please complete the survey before it closes on Friday, October 5th, 2018. 

Thank you in advance for your participation. 

The results will be reported collectively and in aggregate with no ability to identify individual respondents or businesses. 

Following are some resources to help you with your estimations, based on experience in other jurisdictions.  

JAPANESE BEETLE IMPACT SURVEY

Japanese beetles have the potential to cause significant damage to parks, lawns, golf courses, landscapes and BC’s agriculture sectors. During the larval stage, it feeds on the roots of plants and strongly prefers turf. During its adult flying phase from June 15 through October 15, it consumes over 300 types of plants, skeletonizing the leaves and affecting the production and quality of fruits and vegetables, as well as plants such as maples and roses.

Government agencies and industry associations are working together to eradicate this pest, including:

 BC Agriculture Council
 BC Ministry of Agriculture (BCAGRI)
 Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC)
 Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
 City of Vancouver
 BC Landscape and Nursery Association 
 Western Canada Turfgrass Association

Eradication efforts are being organized by 5 Committees, working jointly on movement control, treatment, communications and funding to accomplish eradication since March 2018.  It is estimated that well over $1 million will be spent on eradication efforts this year alone, anticipating these efforts will continue for the next 3-5 years, if the pest can be contained.  If movement spreads, the cost will be significantly higher.  

Resources and Data Sheets:
1. Japanese Beetle is a regulated Pest in Canada under CFIA’s D-Memo 96-15  : Phytosanitary requirements to prevent the spread of Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, in Canada and the United States.  
2. The USDA Japanese Beetle website reports that JB is “ is a highly destructive plant pest that can be very difficult and expensive to control….”
3. In the US, Japanese Beetle is considered one of the most damaging pests in the Eastern US, as reported by the University of Kentucky Agriculture College.  
4. In Oregon, an  Impact Study of Japanese Beetle on the agriculture-horticulture sector has been recently completed, with a high rating for economic impact of over $34 million US.
5. More information about the pest and its effect on the ag sector can be found on the CABI Japanese Beetle datasheet.