Research > Biodiversity > Exotic Insect Interceptions

Exotic insect interceptions from wooden dunnage and packing material

[ Abstract | The Issue | Insects Recovered from Dunnage | Wire Rope Spools | Coleoptera Recovered | Anoplophora glabripennis in Canada | Contact ]

Exotic Forest Pest Advisory - No. 1 :An Asian Long-Horned Beetle
Exotic Forest Pest Advisory - No. 2 :The pine shoot beetle

Abstract:

A survey was conducted at major Canadian ports of entry in 1997 by CFIA and CFS staff . Numerous quarantine and potential quarantine pests have been intercepted in wooden articles and wood packing/crating materials from Asia, Europe and South America. Interceptions have been made from the following commodities: wooden wire and cable spools from China, wooden crating with granite blocks from India and China, wooden boxes with metal valves from Italy, and wooden pallets with ceramic tiles from Brazil. Non-traditional pathways for the movement of live wood boring insects have been identified. Canadian Plant Protection officials are working with their counterparts from the United States and Mexico to harmonize regulations in an attempt to prevent the introduction of quarantine pests from wooden articles and packing material into North America.

The Issue

As the global movement of people and goods increases, so does the threat of the introduction of non-indigenous or "exotic" insects. Many of these insects pose a serious threat to the health of North American forests. Should they become established, they have the potential to kill trees and modify or disrupt native forest ecosystems.

One common entry pathway for these organisms is in or on dunnage or packing materials used to secure and crate cargo in the shipping industry. By quantifying non-indigenous insect interception frequencies, a risk level can be attached to certain commodities imported from specific countries. It is important that we continue to consider new pathways of entry for these organisms.

Wooden dunnage for disposal at the Port of Vancouver

Wood used in packing materials such as boxes, crating and pallets is commonly infested with non-indigenous insects. This wood is usually of low quality, often with bark attached. Even small pieces of wood can carry insect adults or larvae. An adult cerambycid (Rhagium inquisitor) was recently reared from beneath the bark on a 2.5 cm2 piece of crating.

Granite from China

Interceptions of quarantine insects that threaten forest ecosystems are continually being made on a variety of commodities from countries around the world. A preliminary list of species recovered includes:

Insects Recovered from Dunnage and Wood Packing Materials in 1997

Pipe from China	Pipe from Europe
Landscape stone from China	Granite from Italy and Brazil

Wire Rope Spools - a high risk packing material

Ongoing research has demonstrated that the wood used in the construction of spools or reels on which steel cable or 'wire rope' is transported poses a significant risk for the introduction of non-indigenous species.

In a recent study carried out by the Canadian Forest Service, 92 spools originating from China, Korea,and Malaysia were disassembled and examined for bark and insect activity. Some patterns evident in the examinations completed to date follow.

Live beetle larvae were commonly found in the inner layers of the wooden spools. Larvae recovered from wire rope spools are being reared under quarantine.   Canadian regulations specify that dunnage must be free of bark. Our investigation showed that most spools were constructed of wood with unacceptable levels of bark and that the bark was usually "hidden" in the inner layers of the spool.   The average volume of wood used in the construction of a single spool is 0.11 m3 or 46 board feet. Some spools consist of as much as 0.25 m3 (105 bd ft) of wood.

Coleoptera Recovered from Wire Rope Spools in 1997

*… Indicates the recovery of multiple live larvae and/or adults.

Anoplophora glabripennis in Canada

The Asian Long-horned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) is recognized as the most destructive pest of Populus in China. In September 1996, it was discovered in Brooklyn, NY. Hundreds of trees have been infested and removed. The beetle poses a serious threat to the entire eastern hardwood forest.

In 1997, Anoplophora was intercepted from wooden spools and other packing materials imported into British Columbia, Ontario, California, North Carolina, Ohio, Washington, Michigan, and New York

Larva

Pupa

Anoplophora interceptions in North America

Anoplophora threatens many hardwood tree species; both live and dead trees.

Host species native to the Pacific Northwest include:

Populus spp.
Alnus ruba
Acer macrophyllum
Arbutus menziesii

Although adults have been intercepted in British Columbia and Ontario, Anoplophora does not yet seem to have become established in Canadian forests. Efforts are underway by the Canadian Forest Service and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to determine the magnitude of the Canadian situation and to provide advice in the development of policies to minimize threat.

Contact:

E.A. Allen, Research Scientist, Forest Health Network, eallen@pfc.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca
Canadian Forest Service
Pacific Forestry Centre
506 West Burnside Road
Victoria, BC  V8Z 1M5 Canada