Credit: E. Richard Hoebeke, Cornell University, Bugwood.org
It didn’t take Ontarians long to get used to being in an ALHB-free zone but unfortunately the Asian Long Horned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) has been detected in the GTA again, this time in Mississauga. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of Asian Long-horned Beetle (ALHB) in an industrial area near Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario. The CFIA is working with other federal departments and provincial and municipal governments to survey the area and determine next steps.
Between 2003 and 2007, ALHB was known to exist in the cities of Toronto and Vaughan. A quarantine area was established and control efforts were undertaken. Based on international standards, the pest was considered eradicated from this area in 2013 after not being detected for five years. This new find is outside of the eradicated area. Based on the CFIA‘s national plant pest surveillance program, the ALHB has never been detected elsewhere in Canada.
The ALHB can attack several common species of hardwood trees, but was mainly found on as maple trees (Acer sp) in the landscape in Toronto and Vaughan. Larvae bore into the heartwood of the tree and weaken it, eventually killing the infested tree over a period of years. Adults can fly short distances but can also spread through the movement of infested wood. Keep this in mind if you are moving any wood from this area and watch the CFIA website for communication regarding movement of wood and trees etc.
Detecting ALHB: http://www.glfc.forestry.ca/VLF/invasives/alhbdetecguide_e.pdf
ALHB vs. Spotted Sawyer: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/alb/pubs/alb_wss/alb_wss.htm
CFIA website: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-protection/insects/asian-long-horned-beetle/eng/1337792721926/1337792820836
