Colorado proposes Japanese beetle quarantine changes

The Colorado Department of Agriculture is proposing changes to its Japanese beetle quarantine. 

During the 2017 season, several nurseries and garden centers in Colorado received plant material which was found to be infested with Japanese beetle grubs from an out of state nursery. The nursery that shipped the materials was in compliance with the Japanese beetle quarantine rules which became effective on Dec. 30, 2016.

To ensure that nursery stock does not enter the state with Japanese Beetles, the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) is proposing an additional change to commodities covered by the quarantine.

All plants with roots with the exception of nursery produced, container-grown plants imported in containers with a diameter of 7 inches or less (formerly 12 inches) and the volume of the container is less than 252 cubic inches (previously 750) with some exceptions.

The CDA believes this change would protect Colorado nurseries and garden centers from receiving stock that is infested with Japanese beetle grubs. This change would help to limit the spread of the pest, especially outside of the nine quarantine counties in Colorado.