Country: Canada

Title: Regulated Area for the Asian Long-horned Beetle now in effect in Mississauga and Toronto, Ontario

Contact:
Mireille Marcotte, A/National Manager, Forest Resources Section, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, Ontario. Phone: (613) 773-7270

Report: Following the recent detection of Asian long-horned beetle (ALHB), Anoplophora glabripennis, in an industrial area near Pearson International Airport, in Ontario, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has established a regulated area in Mississauga and Toronto as part of its plans to eliminate this pest. The regulated area includes the region bordered in the north by Finch, in the east by Martin Grove: in the south by Highway 401 and in the west by Dixie; an area of approximately 20 square kilometres.

With the regulation of this area, there are now restrictions on the movement of nursery stock, trees, logs, lumber, wood, wood chips and bark chips from certain deciduous trees identified as hosts of ALHB, and firewood of all species. Unless authorized by a Movement Certificate issued by the CFIA, the movement of these items out of the regulated area is prohibited. These restrictions are necessary to prevent the spread of the ALHB. Any person who fails to adhere to the movement restrictions may be subject to a fine, prosecution, or both.

The beetle, which is native to Asia, attacks and kills healthy deciduous trees, especially maple. Their larvae feed within the trunk and branches of trees and eventually fill the trees with holes, causing the trees to die. Adult beetles feed on the leaves, bark, and branch tips.

Under IPPC Standards (e.g. ISPM No. 8), ALHB is considered present only in this regulated area of Ontario and is subject to official control in Canada.

Additional information is available on the CFIA website at www.inspection.gc.ca/pests.
 

Posted Date: Dec. 4, 2013, 9 a.m.