The Front Range Japanese Beetle Task Force began setting traps for Japanese beetle detection this month within the Denver metro area. Japanese beetle is a non-native invasive species that is not yet widespread in Colorado. The Task Force is a cooperative effort involving Jefferson County's Weed and Pest program, USDA-APHIS, Colorado Department of Agriculture, CSU Extension agents, landowners and local golf courses.

Insect traps will be deployed throughout the Denver metro area to detect unknown populations of Japanese beetle. Adult and larval forms of this beetle feed on over 350 species of plants and can cause severe economic damage to agricultural and horticultural crops. The immature stage can destroy turf. The adults feed on foliage, flowers and fruit.

The Task Force was formed in 2006 to address the effects of the newly discovered invasive beetle. Since then, over 100 volunteers have helped trap for the beetle. It has been found in seven of the Front Range counties.

How to identify: Japanese beetle adults are metallic green and copper colored; about 3/8 inch long and ¼ inch wide. The beetles have distinctive tufts of white hairs on their hindquarters.