A heads up from a Great Lakes researcher to watch for an invasive species called the Asian longhorned beetle.
Amanda Roe is based in Sault Ste. Marie, tells us even though it was declared eradicated in Canada last year, it could still come from the US and destroy many trees, including Maple.
“Even as far west as Thunder Bay, I know there are people who are maple syrup producers, so any invasive insect that would be targeting a maple tree would be devastating to that industry,” points out Roe.
She adds this insect feeds on trees just as the destructive Emerald Ash Borer.
Roe points out even though it was eliminated in Toronto years ago, it is still causing havoc in parts of the US. “There’s a large outbreak in Massachusetts, there’s a large outbreak in Ohio, and last year, they actually discovered a really large outbreak in South Carolina. And when I say large outbreak, I’m saying thousands of infested trees.”
The Sault Ste. Marie researcher says it’s important to control invasive species, as they are foreign to a place they show up in, with no known predators or checks and balances, and can therefore wreak havoc as it feeds on a given area.
