BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's Agriculture Department is increasing the number of Japanese beetle traps around the state by 50 percent to try to stem the spread of the destructive bug.

Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said Wednesday that 1,000 traps were already in place, and the agency is adding about 500 more in areas at high risk of infestation, including nurseries, parks and golf courses.

The move comes after Japanese beetle larvae and pupae were found in containers of plants shipped from a Minnesota nursery to nurseries around North Dakota. Goehring is urging any state residen...