By Lindy Browning | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice
Mesa County commissioners are breathing just a little bit easier after discovering that their efforts, combined with resources from the state and the community, are working to get rid of the Japanese beetle infestation on the Western Slope.
The Japanese beetle was discovered in Mesa County in 2022. The beetle is devastating to crops grown on the Western Slope, particularly the prized fruit crops that are sold all over the country.
Through collaborative efforts with public and private groups, and strategic partnerships with state agricultural entities, Mesa County has made significant progress in protecting landscapes and agriculture from the Japanese beetle.
This year, the fight against the beetle gained momentum as operations expanded and strategies were refined. Data-driven approaches and strong partnerships shaped every step of the effort.
The 2024 successes were defined by Mesa County Commissioner Bobbie Daniel in a video: “Four hundred, twenty traps were strategically placed throughout the treatment area and beyond in greater Mesa and Delta counties. Of these, 308 reported no beetle captures. The remaining traps caught 830 beetles, which is an 86 percent reduction compared to 2023.”
Additionally she says more than 1,428 acres of turf were treated with environmentally-friendly insecticides, an increase from 1,200 acres in 2023. These treatments were applied in high-risk areas identified through Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and trapping data, while ensuring minimal impact on beneficial species.
Much to the relief of Palisade fruit growers, trapping confirmed that no beetles were found in Palisade or the Upper Grand Valley Pest District, showcasing the effectiveness of proactive measures such as trapping, targeted spraying and community collaboration.
Western slope nurseries and farmers participated in workshops and grub control to learn to stop the infestation of the beetle.
Daniel said that residents can expect to continue to see early- and late-season spraying to keep the number of beetles on the decline and hopes to see the beetle completely removed from Western Colorado in five to seven years, thanks to the efforts of the partners and the community.
Plans to continue the furtherance of the eradication of the beetle in Western Colorado in 2025 include; expanded trapping and targeted spraying in identified hot spots, staying focused on sustainable pest control methods and a continued educational outreach to keep residents informed and engaged on how to keep the beetles from destroying crops and gardens in the area.
According to the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the Japanese beetle is an invasive pest that was introduced into the eastern United States more than 100 years ago. Since the early 1900s, the insect has made its way west, moving long distances in nursery stock (root balls of trees, shrubs and grass). The beetle is known to migrate on its own 1 to 5 miles per year from plant to plant.
The Japanese beetle was first introduced into Colorado in the early 1990s from nursery stock purchased in the mid-western United States. Scientists and experts were caught off guard by the ability of the pest to establish itself in this region, thinking that the Japanese beetle, an insect that likes moisture and humidity, would never become a problem in the semi-arid Colorado climate.
However, rural landscape areas are oases of green, irrigated plant material that the beetle loves to eat and thrive in.
Precautions need to be taken to keep this pest from spreading to areas of the state where they are not already being treated for eradication.
According to Colorado’s Department of Agriculture, Japanese beetle adults are voracious feeders and cause significant damage to more than 300 different plant species found in landscapes, agricultural areas and a few native plants.
“This year’s progress is due to the power of collaboration and community action. Mesa County is grateful to all residents, local businesses and partners for their dedication to reducing the beetle population and protecting our region for future generations,” Daniel said.