Not on west coast yet but Japanese beetle detected in St.John's

    Monday, 9 June 2025 06:00

    By Tonya Organ

    The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has 80 traps set up throughout the province

    The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture is looking into an increased detection of Japanese Beetle in St. John’s. However, officials don't believe this can impact the west coast.  Sabrina Ellsworth is the department’s Director of Agriculture Research and Production. She says they are working closely with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to identify areas where Japanese beetles have been detected in order to develop a treatment and eradication plan. 

    Ellsworth says this species is a severe threat to agriculture, horticulture, landscaping and forestry industries as it is known to feed on more than 300 plant species and has no natural predators. The CFIA has 80 traps set up throughout the province and Ellsworth says for now, the west coast is safe. Ellsworth this invasive species may become a bigger problem here as the climate changes. 

     

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