Japanese Beetle Update & Shipping Nursery Stock Out-of-State

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.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) monitors for Japanese beetle across Nebraska. Based on trapping results, the following counties are considered infested as of 2020: Adams, Buffalo, Burt, Butler, Cass, Clay, Colfax, Cuming, Dakota, Dawson, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Furnas, Gage, Hall, Hamilton, Howard, Jefferson, Johnson, Kearney, Lancaster, Lincoln, Madison, Merrick, Nance, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Phelps, Pierce, Platte, Polk, Richardson, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward, Scotts Bluff, Thayer, Thomas, Thurston, Washington, Wayne and York.

Many states require nursery stock shipped interstate to meet the certification requirements found in the U.S. National Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan. Most states west of Nebraska have Japanese beetle quarantines in place that either prohibit nursery stock movement from infested areas or place limits on the movement of nursery stock. Nebraska nursery stock may need special certification, in addition to a regular nursery inspection and license, to meet other state’s entry requirements. This certification may require soil sampling, trapping surveys, inspections and/or chemical treatments.

Be Advised – NDA anticipates Nebraska will shift from a Category 2 (partially-infested) to a Category 3 (generally-infested) state effective Jan. 1, 2021. Certification may be required for any nursery shipping nursery stock to other states, not just those in counties identified as infested.

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. You can 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.