Control the invasive japanese beetle which is a quarantined pest present in colorado

There is a need for an active eradication program of this pest and biological control will support this effort. Activities to be performed: japanese beetle traps will be used to collect samples from infested areas in colorado. Scientists will be trained to isolate the pathogen, an effective control agent, and if present, work to further spread and establish the pathogen. Deliverables and expected outcomes: to reduce the overall population of JB and slow its spread along the front range, CDA will survey for, collect and redistribute the pathogen. Building the capacity of the palisade insectary to detect, collect and properly distribute the pathogen will aid the biocontrol effort to neighboring states with new or growing JB populations. Intended beneficiary(IES): infestation requires nursery exports to undergo costly insecticide treatments, trapping, and permitting. This cuts into the narrow profit margin of colorado's nursery industry, harming competition and the ability to export.