Invasive Japanese beetles devouring Eastern Washington crops

Invasive Japanese beetles are devouring crops and gardens in Eastern Washington.

The small and shiny invasive Japanese beetles were first spotted in Washington in the 1980s. Adult beetles devour fruits, flowers, and plants, leaving ghost leaves behind, says Amber Betts, who works for the Washington state Department of Agriculture.

“It’s important to know that this beetle does have the potential to really devastate our crops and our food supply," Betts said. "And so what we're doing right now is trying really hard to eliminate that before it happens.”

Betts said the agency has trapped more than 24,000 beetles so far this year.

The current infestation area of 49 square miles is around Grandview. This includes parts of Yakima and Benton counties.

Betts said the agency is working toward setting up a quarantine where plants at risk for beetles would be checked. The quarantine is likely to start next month.