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N.D. (AP) – North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring says infestations of Japanese beetles found in four North Dakota cities have been traced to a Minnesota-based nursery.

Goehring says beetles found in traps in Bismarck, Fargo, West Fargo and Grand Forks have been traced to shipments from Bailey Nurseries of St. Paul.

He says that while the Japanese beetle is mainly a pest of trees, ornamental plants and turf grass, it also is harmful to corn and soybeans.

Goehring says the North Dakota Department of Agriculture is working with other officials to prevent the establishment of the beetles in North Dakota. He says the nursery stock supplier is being required to use specific practices when fumigating shipments to prevent the importation of pests into North Dakota.