Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica)

The Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is a highly invasive pest that can damage lawns and over 300 plant species, including roses, fruit trees and other food plants. The BC Ministry of Agriculture estimates that, if this pest becomes widespread, it could cost BC’s agricultural and horticultural sectors about $25 million per year.

To stop the spread of the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) requires that plants with soil or soil-related matter attached (e.g. plants for planting, turf grass, sod, ornamental grasses, annuals, perennials, bulbs, shrubs, bedding plants, patio plants) must not be moved out of the regulated areas (see map below).​​

View the Interactive Map

If you need to dispose of plants with soil or soil-related matter attached from within the Japanese beetle regulated areas, contact the CFIA for a Movement Certificate. Note that a movement certificate is no longer required to remove soil alone or above ground plant parts with no soil attached from a Japanese beetle regulated area. For more information call 604-292-5742, or email BCPF.Japanese.Beetle@inspection.gc.ca. Violations increase the risk to BC crops and nurseries and may result in a fine.

Learn more about how to report sightings of the Japanese beetle to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency below.

Report Japanese Beetle sightings​