D-96-19

File
3525-6A1-7
3525-6A1-7-0

I. SUBJECT

This directive states the management approach of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC) to prevent the establishment of the Asian race of gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, also known as Asian gypsy moth, into Canada.

The following policies: the ship exclusion policy (D-95-03), the requirements for import of unmanufactured forest product (D-95-14) and the requirements on dunnage (D-95-10) have been implemented to reduce the risk of introducing Asian gypsy moth and other quarantine pests into Canada.

II. BACKGROUND

It is well documented that different races of gypsy moths (Lymantria dispar) display considerable variation in behaviour throughout their range. The North American gypsy moth is characterized as having a narrower host range than the Asian gypsy moth, consisting mainly of deciduous tree species, and by non-flying female moths. In contrast, most Asian gypsy moths are characterized by female moths capable of strong directed flight and a broader host range, which includes a diet of both coniferous and deciduous trees.

th America from Europe in 1869 and is currently established in eastern North America, the Asian gypsy moth is not known to be established in North America.

Canada presently benefits from more than twenty-six billion dollars a year generated by exports of forest products. The introduction and establishment of Asian gypsy moth in Canada could negatively impact trade of Canadian forest products and could severely impact the health of Canada's forests, which are comprised mainly of coniferous trees (greater than 95%). Asian gypsy moth warrants recognition as a distinctly different pest, from the North American gypsy moth because of its significant behavioural differences and its potential for much more severe economic impact. In 1992 Canada spent more than six million dollars to eradicate an introduction of Asian gypsy moth in British Columbia. AAFC continues to conduct surveys to detect new introductions of Asian gypsy moth throughout Canada and to determine the extent of recent introductions of Asian gypsy moth in the province of British Columbia after having trapped two male moths in l995 in that province.

III. LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY

Plant Protection Act, s.c. 1990, c.22
Plant Protection Regulations, SOR/95-212

IV. POLICY

AAFC considers the Asian gypsy moth to be a quarantine pest of significant economic impact to Canada's forestry and horticultural industries, and will continue to undertake the lead role in emergency response activities, e.g. product treatment, against new interceptions of the Asian gypsy moth in Canada where the pest is intercepted upon the entry of imported plants and other things into Canada, e.g. on a ship or container arriving at a point of entry. AAFC will undertake eradication programs against introductions of Asian gypsy moth, where it is feasible to do so, with cooperation and shared funding from the stakeholders (e.g. provinces and forest related industries).

The status of Asian gypsy moth introductions into Canada will continue to be determined by conducting annual surveys in high risk areas, and by analysing suspect finds using the most current genetic testing procedures.

The status of introductions of Asian gypsy moth will be clarified by consideration of one or more of the following factors: 1) evidence of a living stage of Asian gypsy moth other than a male moth in Canada; 2) by detecting male moths of Asian gypsy moth in two successive years at the same site; 3) by detecting multiple male moths of Asian gypsy moth using a high density trapping grid where the pattern of moth capture indicates a high probability of introduction; or 4) any other factor determined by AAFC which indicates a high probability of introduction of Asian gypsy moth..

Operational responses to eradicate the Asian gypsy moth introductions will be determined upon the specific circumstances of each occurrence to maximize the effectiveness of eradication strategies. Some factors which may be used in assessing the areas to be treated include: the time and source of introduction, site of introduction, size of the introduction and the location of the introduction relative to any resident North American gypsy moth population.

Dr. J.E. Hollebone
Director
Plant Protection Division