The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture is working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to respond to a highly destructive invasive pest that has been detected in the St. John’s area.

The Japanese beetle is regulated by the Plant Protection Act under the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

The pest has been detected sporadically and in isolated situations since 2014, but last season Japanese beetles were detected in the environment in the St. John’s area.

That, according to the department, means that the creatures are likely established and overwintering since there is no evidence linking the detections to imported plant material as was the case previously.

The department is working with federal officials to identify areas where Japanese beetles have been detected and to develop a treatment and eradication plan.

Japanese beetles can spread quickly, especially in the wind or through the transportation of soil and plants. If not controlled, the insect poses a serious threat to agriculture, horticulture, and the landscaping and forestry industries. They can also cause damage to lawns, sports fields and golf courses.

The Japanese beetle is known to feed on more than 300 plant species and has no natural predators.