Possible Japanese beetle sightings raise concern in Kootenai County
Possible Japanese beetle sightings in Kootenai County could threaten lawns, nurseries and crops; Idaho is already eradicating the pest in Caldwell and Pocatello.
Idaho first detected the Japanese beetle in Ada and Kootenai counties in 2012. Possible sightings in Kootenai County are drawing attention because the invasive insect can damage more than 300 plants, including some of Idaho’s top commodities. The Idaho State Department of Agriculture is carrying out eradication plans in Caldwell and Pocatello.
The beetle is small but distinctive. Adults are about half an inch long, with metallic green bodies, coppery wing covers and five tufts of white hairs along each side of the abdomen. The insect lays eggs in the soil in July, the grubs stay underground for about 10 months, and adults emerge in June. The grub stage is C-shaped and lives in the soil, so damage can begin below ground before homeowners realize what is happening.
Japanese beetles can strip lawns and ornamentals, and invasive species like this one can add inspection and replacement costs for property owners, nurseries and landscaping companies. Idaho has watched for the pest since 1990, routinely setting 200 to 300 traps a year at high-risk sites such as nurseries and airports. Rare Idaho trap finds were recorded in 1992, 1997 and 2011. In Caldwell, trap deployment has risen from 82 traps in 2022 to a planned 630 traps in 2026.
Look closely before assuming the beetle is a normal summer insect. A feeding adult often leaves foliage skeletonized, and the grub stage lives hidden in the soil. Do not move suspect plant material, turf or soil around before the insect is identified. Photograph the beetle, note where it was found and report it through Idaho agriculture channels so officials can confirm whether the insect is part of a larger problem.
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