Announcement of FY2026 Pest Forecast No. 7
Overview
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced the FY2026 Pest Forecast No. 7 on September 9, 2026. Higher occurrences of soybean-feeding stink bugs are expected in some areas of Hokuriku, Tokai, and Kinki; cotton bollworms, beet armyworms, and tobacco cutworms in some areas of Hokuriku and elsewhere for vegetables and ornamental plants; and fruit tree stink bugs in some areas of Northern Kanto, Hokuriku, Tokai, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu. The ministry requests that timely pest control be carried out with reference to pest forecasting information and other information issued by prefectures.
Key points
- Higher occurrences of soybean-feeding stink bugs are expected in some areas of Hokuriku, Tokai, and Kinki.
- For vegetables and ornamental plants, higher occurrences of cotton bollworms, beet armyworms, and tobacco cutworms are expected in some areas of Hokuriku and elsewhere.
- For fruit trees, higher occurrences of fruit tree stink bugs are expected in some areas of Northern Kanto, Hokuriku, Tokai, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
- Check detailed regional information in pest forecasting information provided by prefectural pest control offices and other organizations.
Overview
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries compiled pest forecasting information for the future occurrence of major pests and published it as the FY2026 Pest Forecast No. 7. In addition to soybeans, vegetables and ornamental plants, and fruit trees, higher occurrences of spider mites on Japanese pears and other pests are expected in some areas.
The report indicates that timely pest control should be implemented according to regional occurrence conditions, with reference to information issued by prefectures.
Impact
Pest forecasting information is provided to make pest control timely and economical. Timely and appropriate integrated pest management helps prevent the spread of pests, diseases, and weeds and reduce damage to crops.
Integrated pest management is considered important for securing a stable supply of food supported by consumers.
Details
With the cooperation of prefectures, the national government analyzes weather, crop growth conditions, pest occurrence survey results, and other information under the Plant Protection Act (Act No. 151 of 1950) and provides information on pest forecasting and control measures. This forecast compiles information from the prefectures.
Against a backdrop of climate change, including global warming, and the development of pesticide resistance, responding to pests, diseases, and weeds is becoming more difficult each year. Integrated pest management focused on prevention and forecasting creates production environments in which occurrence and increases are less likely, enabling sustainable and effective control to be implemented in a timely and appropriate manner.
Check detailed regional occurrence conditions on the websites of prefectural pest control offices and through other sources.