Asian Long Horned Beetle in Toronto

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mrtree

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Read an article in the paper yesterday that the Asian Long Horned Beetle has been found along a two mile stretch of Steeles Avenue, a road that seperates Toronto from Vaughn (the municipality to the North). Vaugn will begin removals Monday and no word on Toronto's plan. Interestingly I was assisting on some woodlots surveys in this area last week. No signs of ALB but lots of signs of damage done by us humans

Michael
 
So sorry to hear that news..... because it can take as much as 5 years from the time ALB shows up until outward effects on trees are seen, it seems like stopping it's spread is going to be treemendously difficult.... It's good that it moves slowly, when not going for a ride on a tree truck...
Does anyone know how the quarentines have worked in US cities... I think in NY, NJ, Chicago, Bay Area.... Any word on lifting them? The bottom line question is can this thing be stopped?
 
Once again the ALB has been found in an industrial area. It appears that the beetle has come in on shipping materials (crates and skids) from China. It would seem that the proposal to require fumigated/treated materials may provide some relief from future introductions. Current infestations likely need more than cut and burn treatment. The idea of blanket injections of trees might be considered.

Michael
 
Email I received from CNLA ( Canada nursery and landscape assoc.)

" PRESS RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 12, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

ASIAN LONG HORNED BEETLE FOUND IN NORTHERN TORONTO



Today, the CFIA informed the CNLA that Asian Long Horned Beetle (ALHB) has been identified in an area on the border of the City of Toronto and the City of Vaughan. A plan of action was developed two years ago based on the issue in the US and the CFIA has had a number of “dry-runs” giving them a decided head start on the current surveys which are in full swing at this time. The current infested zone is approximately 5 square miles in a light industrial area.

This insect pest has the potential to cause severe damage to Canadian deciduous trees (maples, poplars, sycamore, elm, apple, willow, cherry a more detailed list is below), in forested and urban settings. It has created intensive inspections over the past few years on all dunnage, pallets, crating or other packaging materials made from non-manufactured wood products originating in China and HKSAR with Canada intercepting a number of ALHBs. This pest has caused a lot of damage in the USA forcing thousands of trees to be destroyed. Efforts are being made to find a systemic product that would work. Communication with the USDA has the department offering whatever help and expertise that they have available to Canada. Visit the USDA web site http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/ep/alb/index.html for more detailed information.

There is no known chemical control or natural predator. The only sure method of control is removal and destruction of the infected trees through chipping and burying or burning. Permission for removal of those trees in the find zone is being obtained at the time of this writing and an educational process is being developed to inform the public of what to watch out for. Both Cities will be included in the development.

The following list is based on US surveys and is grouped from most preferred (A) to least preferred (C):

· GROUP A: All species of Acer (maples) including Norway, sugar, silve, Manitoba (boxelder), and sycamore maples. Horse chesnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), Burches (Betula) particularly gray birch (Betula populifolia).
· GROUP B: Poplars (Populus spp), elms (Ulmus spp), willows (Salix spp), alders (Alnus spp), sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), Prunus spp., Pyrus spp., Malus spp., ashes (Fraxinus), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), Hibiscus spp.
· GROUP C: Consists of specis, which may be attackd when in close proximity to an infested hsot but are not thought to serve as hosts. Carya spp., Quercus spp., Albizzia spp., Juglans spp., Gleditsia spp. (Honey locust).

SIGNS OF INFESTATION
Visit the USDA web http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/ep/alb/index.html site for detailed information, photos and descriptions, life stages and biology as well as CFIA web site www.cfia.inspection.gc.ca. "
 
Yesterdays GLobe and Mail had the article I read.

As for drought, it has not really rained in about 6 weeks to the east of Toronto. In Prince Edward County it looks incredible. Ash trees are brown with leaves hanging on. Shagbark hickory appear to be unaffected. Still beautiful green and full. I hav always considered hickories great trees, their drought tolerance/resistance lends more evidence that they should be considered as a landscape tree.

Michael
 
They figure ALB was introduced into the area 4-6 years ago in shipping crates, prior to the CFIA requirements of crate materials being treated. Since these critters can fly a kilometer or more, it's hard to believe they wouldn't have spread farther. I understand that tree removals are underway & that there is a large crew in Toronto & Vaughan inspecting all host species in the area.

Someone showed me samples of the insect, exit holes & egg laying sites, which was really helpful. You really can't mistake any of them for anything else. Hopefully they can contain this.

Yard waste is not being picked up in the area, due to concerns about ALB in the waste. One edge of the 'zone' does encroach into a residential area. My concern is that homeowner's will try to dispose of the yard waste in other ways & may spread the insect. People in the industry know the devestation this can bring, but I really don't think that the CFIA or the local news provided enough info to impart the seriousness of the issue.
 
ISA has a good cd with CEU question sheet available for like $5, if you are in the affected area it might be a good idea to order one.
 
does anyone have the phone # handy to report a beatle tree? i don't have time to go look at it, but i ran into a friend today that described beatle wounds on a silver maple in his yard.
 
Checked out the ALB on Wednesday night, unbelievable damage done. It is clear the infestation along Steeles Avenue is a number of years old. Dead trees and stumps with tunnels in them. Clearly the ALB have moved along the street, its easy to pick out damage along the road and wood has most certainly been transported off the site prior to the infestation being reported. Rumour (on good authority) has it the ALB has been found miles to the east of where I checked. I think we will being seeing lots of work for a company with a big chipper.

Michael
 
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