| Q.1 |
What is the Asian Long-horned Beetle? |
| A.1 |
The Asian Longhorned beetle (ALHB), Anoplophora
glabripennis, is an invasive quarantine insect native to Asia known to attack
and kill healthy trees. |
| Q.2 |
What trees in Canada are susceptible to the Asian Long-horned
Beetle? |
| A.2 |
The majority of Canadian broadleaf trees are at risk from this insect,
including all species of maple as well as elm, poplars and willow. Evergreen or coniferous
trees are not attacked by ALHB. |
| Q.3 |
Where has Asian Long-horned Beetle been detected in Canada and when
was it found? |
| A.3 |
The CFIA confirmed the introduction of ALHB in a concentrated area of an
urban industrial park located in Woodbridge and Toronto, Ontario in September 2003. The
beetle has subsequently been found in the area of Toronto – Vaughan. All infested
trees have been removed, along with all susceptible trees in a 400-metre radius. The area
is now regulated to prevent the spread of the pest. |
| Q.4 |
How was the Asian Long-horned Beetle introduced into Canada? |
| A.4 |
The ALHB is one of many insect pests capable of surviving transport in wood
and wood packaging materials. On arrival, pests contained within the wood may emerge and
move to local host trees to feed and complete their life cycles. The CFIA has
implemented strict import policies to regulate wood packaging and wood products. The CFIA
also supports the adoption of a international standard created by the International Plant
Protection Convention (IPPC) to reduce the plant health risks associated with wood
packaging used in trade. |
| Q.5 |
How does Asian Long-horned Beetle kill infested trees? |
| A.5 |
ALHB larvae feed within the trunk and limbs of trees and eventually riddle
the trees with holes, causing them to die. In some situations, mature trees may be killed
in one or two growing seasons. The adult beetles can also feed on leaves, bark and
shoots, causing considerable damage to the tree. |
| Q.6 |
Has the Asian Long-horned Beetle been found in other countries
outside of Asia? |
| A.6 |
Infestations have been found in Austria and the United States including New
York (1996), Illinois (1998) and New Jersey (2002 & 2004) and have resulted in the
removal and destruction of over 5000 trees. Millions of dollars have been spent on the
required surveys and control programs. |
| Q.7 |
What does the Asian Long-horned Beetle look like? |
| A.7 |
Adult beetle: six legs, large shiny black body (35 mm long
and 12 mm wide maximum size) with up to 20 white dots. The adult has two long antennae
composed of 11 segments. Each segment is black with a whitish ring at the base. There
are native beetles that look similar to ALHB such as the White-spotted Sawyer.
Electronic images are available on the CFIA website (www.inspection.gc.ca) or on
printed pest pamphlets from a local CFIA office. |
| Q.8 |
What is the life cycle of the Asian Long-horned Beetle? |
| A.8 |
The ALHB has a one to two year life cycle with four stages: egg, larva,
pupa and adult beetle. The beetle can overwinter in Canada as an egg, larva or pupa. An
adult will generally emerge in July and August and live as late as the first frost. The
life stages may be delayed due to variable climatic conditions. |
| Q.9 |
What are the signs and symptoms of a tree attacked by Asian
Long-horned Beetle? |
| A.9 |
Emerging adults signs: The emerging adult beetles will
chew their way out of the tree, leaving large round holes (9 - 11 mm) in the branches and
trucks of trees. Egg laying: Oval-shaped wounds can be found on the
tree where the female beetles have chewed through the bark to lay their eggs. These wounds
may also produce dripping sap.
Feeding damage by adults: Adult beetles feed on the leaves, bark and
branch tips.
Feeding damage by larvae: Coarse sawdust may be found at the base of
trees and where the branches connect to the trunk as a result of larvae feeding and
chewing the tree. |
| Q.10 |
What do I do if I suspect Asian Long-horned Beetle is on my
property? |
| A.10 |
Contact the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 or (416) 665-5055 in Toronto. Pest
descriptions and resource material can also be found on the CFIA Forestry website and at
Canadian Forest Service Offices. Many municipalities may also have information and
resources available on ALHB. |
| Q.11 |
What is the CFIA doing to control and eradicate the ALHB? |
| A.11 |
Since the initial find in September 2003, the CFIA has been conducting
visual surveys to determine the extent of the introduction and damage. Where infested
material is found, it will be destroyed to eliminate the risk of ALHB spreading to
uninfested trees. The ALHB has no natural controls in North America. The only way to
stop the beetle's spread is to remove all susceptible trees within 400 metres of an
infested tree.
The CFIA maintains and enforces restrictive measures for the movement of potentially
infested wood items from areas where the beetle was found. A regulated area
has been established in parts of Toronto and Vaughan in order to prevent the spread of the
ALHB.
There are prohibitions or restrictions of movement on nursery stock, trees,
leaves, logs, lumber, wood, wood chips and bark chips from certain deciduous trees
identified as hosts of the ALHB and firewood of all species.
Unless authorized by the CFIA, their movement out of or through the regulated area is
prohibited. This is necessary to prevent the spread of the ALHB throughout Toronto and the
rest of Ontario and Canada.
The CFIA is also asking for the public's help in spotting the beetle and reporting it
to their local CFIA office. |
| Q.12 |
What should you do if you believe you have found an ALHB or that
your tree is infested with the beetle? |
| A.12 |
If you believe that you may have found an ALHB or that you may have
infested ALHB materials, contact the CFIA at 1-800-442-2343 or (416) 665-5055 in Toronto. |
| Q.13 |
How should I dispose of yard waste materials? |
| A.13 |
For inquiries on the disposal of yard waste contact your municipality. |
| Q.14 |
What is being done to control the spread of ALHB? |
| A.14 |
To control the spread of the ALHB, all plant material must be destroyed by
chipping. CFIA inspectors investigate all links to the infested trees, conducting
intensive surveys in surrounding areas and determining movement of any infested tree
material. |
| Q.15 |
Is the federal government compensating property owners for the loss
of their trees? |
| A.15 |
Yes. Compensation for the replacement of trees is available to those whose
trees were ordered destroyed to combat the spread of the ALHB, provided the provisions in
the Introduced Forest Pest Compensation Regulations are met. For more information on
compensation, please see our website, or call 1-800-442-2342 or (416) 665-5055 in Toronto. |
| Q.16 |
Are there any specific steps being taken for conservation areas or
parklands? |
| A.16 |
The CFIA and its partners are using ground survey, tree climber and bucket
truck surveys with on-going forest management techniques to detect signs of infestation. |
