Mesa County makes progress in eradicating Japanese beetle from Western Slope
By Lindy Browning | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice
Mesa County commissioners are breathing just a little bit easier after discovering that their efforts, combined with resources from the state and the community, are working to get rid of the Japanese beetle infestation on the Western Slope.
The Japanese beetle was discovered in Mesa County in 2022. The beetle is devastating to crops grown on the Western Slope, particularly the prized fruit crops that are sold all over the country.
Through collaborative efforts with public and private groups, and strategic partnerships with state agricultural entities, Mesa County has made significant progress in protecting landscapes and agriculture from the Japanese beetle.
This year, the fight against the beetle gained moment...