Japanese Beetle Update
National Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan Map showing Japanese Beetle infested status of each state.
Nebraska Counties infested with Japanese Beetle, as of January 1, 2021
Nebraska has numerous counties infested with Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica). As this pest becomes more common across the state, the prevalence of Japanese beetle has implications for nurseries that ship out of state.
As of January 1, 2021, Nebraska shifted to a Category 3 state, considered generally infested, in the National Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (JBHP). Nursery stock must now be certified as free of Japanese beetle, in order to be shipped to Category 1 (uninfested) or Category 2 (partially infested) states. This special certification is in addition to a regular nursery inspection and license, and may include soil sampling, trapping surveys, inspections and/or chemical treatments. The JBHP can be found at https://nationalplantboard.org/japanese-beetle-harmonization-plan/
In addition to the certification requirements found in the JBHP, several states including California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington, have Japanese beetle quarantines in place that either prohibit nursery stock movement from infested areas or place limits on the movement of nursery stock.
NDA continues to monitor for the presence of Japanese beetle in our state. Based on trapping surveys, nearly half of Nebraska counties are considered infested as of 2020.
All Nebraska nurseries involved in interstate shipment of nursery stock should contact NDA now to determine what certification measures will be needed. Be proactive in contacting NDA; do not wait until you are ready to ship. Contact Jessica Schueth, Export Certification Coordinator, at 402-471-5902 or by email at agr.phyto@nebraska.gov, for more information or to discuss certification requirements.
