Key Takeaways
- Oregon House Bill 5204 allocated $1.8 million to fund the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Japanese beetle program through the 2026 and 2027 crop years.
- The department's eradication efforts reduced beetle numbers by 65% from last year and by 92% since 2016, with populations declining for eight consecutive years.
- Survey data for 2025 showed 1,918 beetles were trapped across Oregon, with most captured at a single home in Washington County.
- New beetle detections occurred in Marion and Union Counties in 2025, which the Oregon Department of Agriculture will address in its 2026 work.
- The program will use Acelepryn G, a reduced-risk insecticide approved for controlling beetles, primarily through spring lawn applications with landowner consent.
Legislative Funding Restores Oregon Department of Agriculture Program
The Oregon Department of Agriculture will continue its Japanese beetle eradication and monitoring efforts in 2026 following legislative approval of $1.8 million in funding. Oregon House Bill 5204 allocated resources to sustain the Japanese beetle program over the 2026 and 2027 crop years after the previous legislative session failed to provide funding.
During the funding gap, the agency worked with western partner states to facilitate the movement of Oregon plant products, particularly nursery stock, which represents the state's largest agricultural sector. The renewed investment demonstrates commitment to protecting Oregon's agricultural interests and preventing the spread of this invasive species.
Significant Population Reduction Achieved In Oregon
The Oregon Department of Agriculture maintained full program activity throughout 2025, achieving substantial results in beetle population control. The department's efforts reduced beetle numbers by 65% from the previous year and by 92% since 2016, marking eight consecutive years of population decline.
