Japanese Beetle Found in ND | Video

Jerame Novak | 8/9/2012

A pest normally found in the eastern U.S. has been found in North Dakota, a Japanese Beetle was discovered in a trap in West Fargo. It`s only the second time in 11 years the insect has been found in the state.

The beetles are about a half-inch long, and metallic green with bronze wing covers. They are mainly enemies of trees, ornamental plants and turf grass, but they also pose a threat to crops.

"But with its vivacious appetite, it actually can go after and will start consuming crops that we`re producing for feed and food. So we have some concerns about those impacts to the major crops here in North Dakota. Such as sunflowers, corn and soybeans," said North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring.

If you suspect you have Japanese Beetles, contact your agronomist, crop consultant or county extension agent.

Goehring says monitoring and trapping will continue through September and into next season.

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