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Japanese Beetle

Japanese Beetles and Shipping Plants

The Japanese beetle can cause extensive damage to nurseries, seedbeds, orchards, field crops, landscape plants, and home gardens. Adult beetles skeletonize leaves, feed heavily on flowers, and consume developing fruits. They are known to feed on more than 300 plant species including roses, blueberries, grape vines, fruit trees, and many garden vegetables.  Japanese beetle grubs live in the soil and primarily feed on the roots of turf grass and ornamental plants.


What has changed?

For the past several biennia, Oregon's Japanese beetle eradication efforts have been funded through one-time allocations from the Oregon Legislature, using funds outside of the ODA's base budget. During the 2025 legislative session, the bill that would have continued this funding did not pass. Because no funding was approved for the next biennium, the ODA will not be able to continue Japanese beetle eradication operations in 2026.

Without a funded Japanese beetle program, which includes statewide trapping, surveillance, and treatment, Oregon will no longer be recognized as actively managing the Japanese beetle populations. As a result, Oregon is at risk of losing its pest-free status. When this happens, other western states that are currently considered free of Japanese beetle will apply their quarantine requirements to plants shipped from Oregon. These measures are intended to prevent the spread of Japanese beetle into unaffected states.

Japanese Beetle State Categories

The U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plant (JBHP) helps prevent the spread of Japanese beetles through the movement of nursey stock and regulated materials. States are divided into four categories, depending on their regulatory status for Japanese beetle. Shipment regulations are based on the category of the shipping state and the receiving state.

Category 1 - Uninfested, and Japanese beetle is regulated

Category 2 - Uninfested or partially infested

Category 3 - Partially or generally infested

Category 4 - Pest is unlikely to establish / not known to be infested




New Requirements

If you are shipping to a Category 1 or 2 state, you will need to:

  • Enter into a Compliance Agreement with the ODA
  • Employ approved treatments and/or approved trapping
  • Apply for a Phytosanitary Certificate for shipments

Exemption from Shipping Regulations

Scions or plant cuttings with no leaves or roots. 

Regulated Articles

  • Plants with roots and soil 
  • Bare root plants shipped free of soil or growing media
  • Cuttings with leaves during the JB flight season
  • Bulbs, corms, tubers, and rhizomes with or without soil attached
  • Grass sod
  • Soil, compost, or growing media that is not commercially packaged
  • Any article that could harbor Japanese beetle eggs, larvae, or adults
To learn more about how to ship plants to Category 1 and Category 2 states, please review the details below.

The Japanese Beetle Harmonization Program (JBHP)


​The JBHP was developed by the National Plant Board as a framework to protect unifested states, while providing shippers with consistent certification requirements. ​


Link to the National Plant Board JBHP site​

The JB regulatory status map visualizes all 50 states and Canadian territories, coding them as Cat 1, 2, 3, or 4. This map is updated annually. Regulatory status is determined by the National Plant Board. The JB regulator status map for Canada is also available.
 

​Oregon's Category Status

While Oregon has historically be classified as a Cat 1 state, in the absence of a state Japanese beetle program, Oregon will likely be re-classified as Cat 2 or 3. This is pending final determination by the NPB, and the ODA is actively working with the NPB to expedite the evaluation process.


Oregon nurseries shipping plants with roots, soil, or growing media to Category 1 or 2 states/areas must follow strict production and certification standards to protect pest-free regions. Regulated articles are subject to phytosanitary measures to meet import requirements of receiving states. Whether a receiving state is Category 1 or 2, will dictate the exact requirements. These nurseries must have a Compliance Agreement with the ODA to be eligible for certification.​


Certification Standards​

​The options listed in the JBHP are the default standards that most states follow. However, the JBHP is not a federal quarantine, and does not override individual state regulations.​ To learn more about treatment options and state regulations that vary from the JBHP, please read through the drop-downs below.

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Link to the JBHP manual​
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Shipment Options to Category 1 States


To qualify for shipment into a Category 1 state, nurseries must meet one of the approved pathways and enter into a compliance agreement with the ODA. The adult flight season for JB is June 1 – September 30 and is non-negotiable. Regulated articles must be safeguarded from JB during the flight season. 
 

Production in a Protected Faci​​lity

Plants maintained in a state approved screened greenhouse or structure during the flight season. Must be potted in sterilized soil or potting media. The facility must be inspected annually by the state.
 

Production Du​ring a Pest-Free Window

Rooted plants must be grown, finished, and shipped outside the adult flight period: October 1 – May 31. 
 

Application of Approved Treatments

Treatment with an ODA-approved insecticide under supervision by a state official before shipment or conducted under a signed compliance agreement. Treatments may be applied by nursery staff or an approved pest control company. 
 

Negative Trapping/Survey Verification

Nursery must demonstrate pest-free status through an approved trapping survey that is conducted on the nursery property during the entire adult flight season. In addition, 1-mile buffer area around the nursery must also be trapped. Traps must be regularly monitored by regulatory authorities throughout the entire season. If one or more beetle is caught or found on a plant via inspection, treatments will be required prior to shipment.  Nurseries may contract with an approved pest control company.  
 

​Shipped Bare root

Plants are shipped bare root, free from soil or growing media. Free from soil means plants with less than the amount of soil or growing media that can harbor any life stage of Japanese beetle (egg, pupa, or larva). Some states define free from soil or growing media larger than ½ inch.​

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Shipment Options to Category 2 States


To qualify for shipment into a Category 2 state, nurseries must meet one of the approved pathways and enter into a compliance agreement with the ODA. The adult flight season for JB is June 1 – September 30 and is non-negotiable. Regulated articles must be safeguarded from JB during the flight season.
 

​Application of Approved Treatments

Treatment with an ODA-approved insecticide under supervision by a state official before shipment or conducted under a signed compliance agreement. Treatments may be applied by nursery staff or an approved pest control company.
 

Negative Trapping/Survey Verification​

Nursery must demonstrate pest-free status through an approved trapping survey that is conducted on the nursery property during the entire adult flight season. Traps must be placed and regularly monitored by regulatory authorities throughout the entire adult season. If one or two beetles are detected across all traps, the nursery might be able to keep its pest free status. This is at the discretion of the receiving state.  Delimiting survey is required the following year (i.e. additional trapping around the positive trap location). If delimitation yields no JB finds, the nursery can be considered pest-free again. If more than two beetles are detected in either the initial or delimiting survey, the site is considered infested. Nurseries may contract out that work to an approved pest control company.
 ​

Field Grown Nursery Stock Accreditation Program

Applies to balled & burlapped, field-potted plants from nurseries within an infested area. Requires regular soil sampling (Sept – May) and mitigation if JB larvae are recovered. Certification not possible if more than one JB larvae is found. Other requirements include maintaining weed-free zones around plantings and treatments.
 

Containerized Nursery Stock Accreditation Program

All containers must: be potted in approved growing media or sterilized media; containers must be kept on barrier to prevent JB infestation; certified lots must be clearly marked and separated; and apparently free of weeds. Grasses and sedges are not eligible for this option. 
 

Sod Shipment Requirements

Permissible if sod originates from site free of JB through trapping program. Alternatively, if sod originates from sites under a compliance agreement which requires: treatment for JB on peripheral of farm, removal of JB host plant species from the immediate growing areas and treatment of the sod, and visual inspection at time of harvest as well as time of shipment. ​​
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​​​​Treatment Options

​For Japanese beetle certification of plant material according to the Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan. All treated product must be safeguarded from re-infestation during the flight season. For chemical options, please review the "Pesticide Options" drop down below. 


Category 1 States​

​

​1. Dip treatment intended to kill larvae (grubs) in containers or B&B​​

Only acceptable for material in containers that are 12" in diameter or smaller. B&B material of the same size limit can also be dip-treated, but only if the soil is non-clay. It is presumed that most soils in Oregon will not be suitable for this treatment due to clay content.

  • The rooted portion of the container or ball must be completely submerged in pesticide solution for a minimum of 2 minutes or until complete saturation occurs, as indicated by the cessation of bubbling.
  • The ambient temperature must be at least 50F at time of dip.
  • Upon removal from solution, the plants must be allowed to drain according to label directions.
  • During JB flight season (June through Sept.) dip treatments are only good for 2 weeks of certification. If more time passes, an additional treatment would be required. 
  • Treatments performed outside of the flight season are suitable for certification until the time of the next flight season.​
​
2. Drench treatments for containers to target eggs and first instars of JB
This is considered a preventative treatment. It is only acceptable for material in containers that are 12” in diameter or smaller. Potting media must have started clean (never previously used in agricultural production) and contain no mineral soil or sand.
  • Plants grown in field soil then potted into soilless container substrates are not eligible.Plants must be treated prior to JB flight season and certification expires after 16 weeks.
  • Plants must be treated prior to JB flight season and certification expires after 16 weeks.
  • The goal is to completely drench the surface of the potting media while at the same time limiting run-off through leaching from the bottom of containers. It is recommended to use 1/5 of the container volume as an application rate per container.
  • Treated material must be maintained on an impervious barrier.

3. Media (granule) incorporation for containers to target eggs and first instars of JB.
This is a preventative treatment prior to potting up. It is only acceptable for plants being potted up into containers 12” in diameter or smaller. Potting media must start clean (never previously used in agricultural production) and contain no mineral soil or sand.
  • Plants grown in field soil then potted into soilless container substrates are not eligible.
  • Plants being stepped up into treated media must first be treated by drench or dip to clean up any remaining untreated potting media attached to their roots
  • Granular insecticide must be thoroughly mixed into batches of potting media prior to potting up.
  • Finished plants should be watered at least 2 times prior to shipment.
 
4. Methyl Bromide Fumigation
This option would provide certification for nursery stock of all sizes and media including soil. However, pesticide label limits and plant susceptibility to harm make it an unlikely option.
 
5. Adult Beetle Mitigation
During flight season between June 1 and September 30th, nurseries are responsible for ensuring that clean stock does not become infected by adults. The JBHP outlines critical control points to monitor. Insecticides that target adults are provided in the JB-labeled product list, to be used for certification if adults are present. There are different insecticides for use on plant material and container (truck/trailer) spaces.


 

Category 2 States​

**Note: New Mexico is not included in this, they have unique requirements**


1. Any treatment that allows for certification to Category 1 states is also suitable for certification to Category 2 states.
 
2. Dip treatment intended to kill larvae (grubs) in containers or B&B. 
Acceptable for nursery stock in containers and B&B plants that are 32” in diameter or smaller.

  • The rooted portion of the container or ball must be completely submerged in pesticide solution for a minimum of 2 minutes or until complete saturation occurs, as indicated by the cessation of bubbling.
  • The ambient temperature must be at least 50F at time of dip.
  • Upon removal from solution, the plants must be allowed to drain according to label directions.
  • During JB flight season (June through Sept.) dip treatments are only good for 2 weeks of certification. If more time passes, an additional treatment would be required. 
  • Treatments performed outside of the flight season are suitable for certification until the time of the next flight season.
 
3. Pre-Harvest Soil Surface Treatments
Field grown material of any size may be harvested and certified from fields that are treated prior to harvest in the months of May through July.

  • Insecticide must be applied to rows in bands that extend six (6) inches wider than actual root ball diameter to be dug. Do not allow bands in adjacent rows to overlap.
  • Vegetation should be mowed to a height of 3 inches or less before application. Do not mow until after sufficient irrigation or rainfall has occurred.
 
4. Field Grown Nursery Stock Accreditation Program (possibility that treatment would be required)
This is a compliance agreement program that allows for certification of field grown material to Category 2 states. 

  • The program requires the maintenance of a weed-free zone around field plants as well as soil sampling to monitor for beetles.
  • Insecticides could be used in this program for treatment of larvae and adults and these are found in the JB-labeled product list.
 
5. Shipments of sod (lawn or turf-grass) 
It is possible to ship sod to Category 2 states with compliance agreement. Certification would likely involve the use of both adulticide treatment around periphery of the sod farm and larval treatments of the sod. 
Insecticide options are found in the JB-labeled product list.
 
6. Adult Beetle Mitigation
During flight season between June 1 and September 30th, nurseries are responsible for ensuring that clean stock does not become infected by adults. The JBHP outlines critical control points to monitor. Insecticides that target adults are provided in the JB-labeled product list, to be used for certification if adults are present. There are different insecticides for use on plant material and container (truck/trailer) spaces.​​
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​​​Pesticide Options

​​​The JBHP has a table listing active ingredients and products that have been agreed upon among the states. Not all of these are registered for use in Oregon, and not all of the products registered for JB in Oregon are on the approved JBHP table. Please review the attached document to see lists of JB treatments in Oregon and those which are also found in the JBHP list.





​Detailed list of Active Ingredients for Oregon and the JBHP


JB Treatment table.xlsx


​There are four tabs in this Excel file:
  1. Summary of active ingredients for JB registered in Oregon​
  2. All active ingredients and combinations for JB registered in Oregon
  3. JBHP Pesticides for Category 1 States
  4. JBHP Pesticides for Category 2 States

Important links


​To identify if a product is registered for use in Oregon, please use this search engine:

Pesticide Information Center OnLine (PICOL):

Chemical Treatments table for JBHP:

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​State Requirements that vary from the JBHP

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Details about variations

​

​​​Arizona

  • ​​​Turfgrass shipments may require additional permissions and trapping
California​
  • ​Dip treatments are only accepted between September 1st and May 1st
  • Media incorporation plants must be potted at least 30 days prior to shipment
Colorado
  • ​​Containerized plants 7" in diameter or less are exempt from the quarantine
  • Containerized plants 16" in diameter or more are not eligible for shipments
  • Soil or growing media clumps on crowns or roots must be less than 1/2"
  • Insecticide media incorporation is not an approved method for certification
Idaho
  • Plant crowns or roots for propagation under 50mm plug is exempt from the quarantine
  • Liner rooting media is exempt from the quarantine
  • Bareroot plants must be completely free of soil
  • Dip treatments are not approved for any B&B nursery stock
  • Drench treatments are not approved for grasses or sedges
  • There may be additional trapping requirements 
Montana
  • Bareroot plants with soil or media clumps smaller than 1/2" are exempt from the quarantine (this does not apply to grasses or sedges)
  • ​Pre-notification must be sent 48 hours in advance to agr@mt.gov. Use the statement, "This notification is in accordance with Montana Quarantine MTQ-2013-01"
  • If plants are treated, they must arrive in Montana betwen October 1st and May 31st
  • No field-grown stock or sod is allowed entry into Montana between June 1st and September 30th
Nevada
  • ​There may be additional trapping requirements
New Mexico
  • Containerized and B&B plants with a diameter less than 12" are exempt from the quarantine
  • Trapping is mandatory regardless of treatment, unless plants were produced in an approved screenhouse or entirely grown outside of the JB adult flight window
​Utah​
  • Media incorporation plants must be potted at least 30 days prior to shipment
  • Drench treatment and media incorporation of insecticide are not approved for shipments of grasses or sedges
  • Adult Japanese beetle flight season is considered to be June - October
  • There may be additional trapping requirements

Resources