Officials have yet to capture a Japanese beetle this season in the capital city, but because they haven’t caught one, doesn’t mean the creatures aren’t out there.
The invasive and highly destructive species is known to consume some 300 plant species.
Traps were set up in various locations in the capital city, primarily focused on the downtown, after a number of beetles were found in the area last year, suggesting that the bugs are overwintering in the province.
Japanese Beetle (Via Government of Canada)
That prompted a coordinated eradication plan involving the provincial and federal governments. The province launched a spray program targeting the species earlier this summer.
Survey biologist with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ron Neville says they haven’t yet captured any Japanese beetles in traps, but, that could change.
“So far, we haven’t had any detections…but they just started flying in other parts of North America…so, it could be very likely that we start picking some up soon,” says Neville. “That trapping grid that’s in place is really intended to try and find them in areas where we haven’t seen them before.”
