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2006 Plant Protection Survey Report

Table of Contents

Forestry Surveys Horticulture Surveys Grains and Field Crops Survey Potatoes Survey

Forestry Surveys

Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis)

Eradication Program in Toronto-Vaughan, Ontario

Established populations of Anoplophora glabripennis were detected for the first time in Canada in September of 2003. The infestation occurred in an area along the municipal border between the cities of Vaughan and Toronto, Ontario. In November of 2003 an eradication program was launched by the CFIA in cooperation with municipal, regional and provincial agencies as well as the Canadian Forest Service. The regulated area remains in place since February of 2004, and covers 169 square kilometres, including parts of the cities of Toronto and Vaughan. Details on the progress of this program can be found at the CFIA Asian Longhorned Beetle web page.

Ontario - High Risk Detection Survey

In 2006, as part of the broad scale survey 507 high risk sites across Ontario were surveyed for Anoplophora glabripennis. This survey was in addition to the intensive survey activities in the Toronto-Vaughan regulated area described at the link above. Targeted sites included; importers and inland receiving sites of high-risk cargo from Asia, ports and terminals, disposal and storage sites, previous interception points and potential introduction sites. There were no new detections of Anoplophora glabripennis in 2006 out side of the regulated area.

Quebec - High Risk Detection Survey

In 2006, a total of 113 high risk sites were surveyed. The targeted sites included industrial areas, manufacturers and suppliers who received imports from Asia. Surveys were conducted in 10 MRCs (Desjardins, Deux-Montagnes, L'Assomption, Laval, La Rivière-du-Nord, Les Jardins-de-Napierville, Mirabel, Montcalm, Roussillon, Vaudreuil-Soulanges) and two urban communities (Communauté urbaine de Montréal and Communauté urbaine de Québec). All survey sites were negative for Anoplophora glabripennis.

Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

This exotic insect pest of ash (Fraxinus spp.) was positively identified for the first time in North America in the summer of 2002. Background information on the pest and regulatory updates can be found at the following link on the CFIA Emerald Ash Borer web page.

Ontario

Elgin and Lambton counties are regulated separately for EAB. Essex County and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, which were separately regulated in 2004, were combined into one regulated area in June 2006. There are no effective traps or lures for EAB, therefore, surveillance is based on visual inspection of ash material. Intensive surveys conducted in 2006 focused on delimiting infestations in Chatham-Kent, Lambton and Elgin counties, while high risk detection surveys were delivered in areas where EAB was not known to occur. EAB was discovered in Middlesex County (London, Ontario) in November 2006 during routine CFIA surveillance. A 5 km quarantine zone was established around this find to slow-the-spread to other areas.

Table 1. Summary of Emerald Ash Borer Surveys in Southwestern Ontario - 2006

Ontario County/Area No. Survey Sites No. Trees
Not Detected
(-)		 Detected
(+)		 Suspect Removed Firewood
Essex County 0 0 0 0 0
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent 1879 39 12 0 0
Lambton County 137 5 0 0 0
Elgin 2749 0 0 0 1
Middlesex 989 0 1 1 0
Other Surveys conducted by Southwest Region 1224 0 0 0 0
Totals 6975 44 13 1 1

Table 2. Summary of High Risk Site Surveys for Emerald Ash Borer in Ontario - 2006

Ontario County/Area No. Survey Sites No. Trees
Not Detected
(-)		 Detected
(+)		 Suspect Removed Firewood
Southwest Region 247 3 0 0 0
Central Region 69 0 0 0 0
Toronto Region 72 0 0 0 0
Northeast 190 0 0 0 1
Sault Ste-Marie Area (conducted by the Canadian Forest Service) 69 0 0 0 0
Totals 647 3 0 0 0

Quebec

In 2006, a total of 218 sites were visually surveyed within the province of Quebec. This included 171 sites in the City of Montreal where the city assisted with the survey by providing the CFIA with a inventory of the known ash distribution on the island of Montreal. To the east, near Quebec City, a total of 22 sites were surveyed in the MRC of La Jacques Cartier and in the Communauté urbaine de Québec. The municipalities surveyed within the Communauté urbaine de Québec were: Beauport, Charlesbourg, La Cité, Laurentien, Lévis, Limoilou, Les Rivières, St-Augustin and Ste-Foy. In addition, 25 sites around St-Hyacinthe in the MRCs of Bas Richelieu, Bécancour, Champlain, Drummond, Haut St-François, Haute Yamaska, Les Maskoutains, Maskinongé, Memphrémagog, Rouville, Vallée du Richelieu were surveyed. No symptoms or signs of Agrilus planipennis were detected.

European Wood Wasp (Sirex noctilio)

On July 5, 2005, the first established population of the European wood wasp, Sirex noctilio (Fabricus), was reported in Fulton, New York. The European wood wasp feeds on many species of pine and is a serious pest of plantations in Australia, South America and South Africa. In 2005 response to additional finds near the initial discovery in Fulton, the Canadian Forest Service and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in collaboration with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency established a rapid trap survey of sites along the Canada-US border extending west from Cornwall to Prince Edward County south of Belleville, Ontario. A total of 36 sites were surveyed from Sandbanks Provincial Park southeast of Wellington, Ontario to Cornwall. Five adult females of S. noctilio were captured at four sites in Ontario. Two additional adults were found in Lindgren traps baited with alpha-pinene/ethanol as per the CFIA Exotic Forest Insect survey. These traps were located in Waterloo County and Durham County.

In 2006, given the limited finds in Ontario that had been made the previous year the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources under took an extended detection surveys in both provinces focussing on high risk pine stands that were not managed, over stocked, and exhibited low or mild level of stress (i.e. pine decline and mortality).

Ontario

In Ontario, 120 sites were initially selected for the detection survey which covered all southern Ontario counties and regional municipalities. At least two traps sites were set up in each county, with those counties having a higher risk and/or more pine sites having proportionally more trap sites. Two traps were utilized at each site - a 12-unit Lindgren funnel trap and an IPM Intercept Panel trap, each baited with a ultra high release lure containing 70% alpha-pinene (75% of the + isomer and 25% of the - isomer) and 30% beta-pinene. The survey was expanded into the central-northern section of the province in the fall with another 40 sites selected. In total 39 sites were positive in 21 counties for S. noctilio in 2006.

Quebec

In Quebec, a total of 155 sites were surveyed with preference given to Scots pine stands (75 sites), followed by red pine (61 sites), jack pine (10 sites) and then white pine (9 sites). Chosen stands were located either along roads to pine wood mills or near the mill itself. The selected stands were 15 years old or older and every effort was made to choose not managed stands with stressed and weakened trees. One Lindgren trap and one intercept trap were installed in each stand. Traps were located inside the stand, at least 30m in from the edges (when possible) and 30m from each other. No S. noctilio were detected in Quebec.

Atlantic Canada

In 2006, at selected sites in both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia 12-unit Lindgren funnel traps that had been placed for the Pine Shoot Beetle survey were maintained to specifically trap for S. noctilio. The traps were baited with a ultra high release lure containing 70% alpha-pinene (75% of the + isomer and 25% of the - isomer) and 30% beta-pinene targeting S. noctilio. This was made possible since flight period of S. noctilio occurs after the Pine Shoot Beetle has completed its flight period.

In Nova Scotia, traps were maintained at 10 sites with three 12-unit Lindgren funnel traps were set per site. Approximately 10 samples were submitted all were negative for S. noctilio.

In New Brunswick, trapping occurred at 10 sites. Six of the sites had three 12-unit Lindgren funnel traps per site while the other four sites had a single 12-unit Lindgren funnel trap. The 19 samples that were submitted for identification were all negative for S. noctilio.

Invasive Alien Forest Pest Surveys

In 2006, the Exotic Forest Insect Survey was replaced with a more intensive and focussed survey at fewer locations. The new survey design was implemented in four pilot cities across Canada: Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax. The survey includes both a semiochemical insect trapping and an insect rearing component.

For the trapping component of the survey 10 sites were selected in each municipality based on risk of foreign pest introduction via infested off-continent wood packing or dunnage. Lindgren traps (12-funnel) were placed at each site and each trap was baited with either, 1) ultra-high release ethanol + ultra-high release alpha-pinene, 2) ultra-high release ethanol, or 3) PheroTech® 'Exotic Bark Beetle' lure (2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol, cis-verbenol, racemic ipsdienol). Each lure type was replicated three times at each site for a total of nine traps per site.

The rearing component consists of selecting declining trees slated for cutting from municipal tree removal programs and the installation of two, 1 meter log bolts from each tree into a custom-designed rearing facility installed in each pilot city. Bolts will remain in the rearing facilities for up to two rears under climate-controlled conditions. Emerging insects will regularly be collected from the bolts and submitted to the CFIA Entomology lab in Ottawa for identification. In 2006 the rearing component of this survey was only implemented in British Columbia but will expand into the three other cities in 2007.

Ontario

The semiochemical trapping component of the survey was implemented in the cities of Mississauga and Toronto in 2006, using the methodology described above. A total of 90 traps were deployed at 10 sites in the Toronto region (9 traps per site). A single adult of Sirex noctilio was trapped in Milliken Park, Toronto. No other new records of exotic insects were recorded.

Nove Scotia

The new Invasive Alien Species Semiochemical and Rearing Survey focussed on trapping at 10 sites in the Halifax Regional Municipality with 9 traps set per site. A total of 529 samples were collected and submitted for identification from these traps. One brown spruce longhorn beetle (Tetropium fuscum) adult was collected in a trap in Sheet Harbour approximately 70 km outside the eastern boundary of the regulated area under the BSLB Ministerial Order. Another 36 samples were positive for BSLB, however, all of these were within the area covered by Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle Ministerial Order. No other new records of exotic insects were recorded.

Quebec

This survey focussed on 10 sites in and around the City of Montreal including 5 public parks, 4 cemeteries and a landfill site. Trapping methods are described above. The sites were located in Laval, Les Moulins and the Communauté urbaine de Montréal (which includes the municipalities of Lachenaie, Laval, Montréal, Outremont, Pointe aux Trembles and Westmount). An additional 13 sites were selected on the south shore in the municipalities of Boucherville, Longueuil, Ste-Victoire de Sorel and Sorel-Tracy in the MRC's of Bas Richelieu, Champlain and Lajemmerais. No other new records of exotic insects were recorded.

British Columbia

The municipalities chosen in 2006 were Delta and Surrey because they both contain a number of high risk sites and in addition they are in close proximately to the Port of Fraser Surrey where a number of forest pest interceptions have occurred.

Five sites were selected in both municipalities employing a total of 90 Lindgren funnel traps using the methods described above. In Surrey, four bolt logs were collected as part of the insect rearing component. Results were not available at the time of this report draft.

North American Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar)

A French naturalist brought the gypsy moth to the United States (Massachusetts) in 1869 for experiments. During his studies some of the caterpillars escaped into his garden and the nearby woods. This initial small population quickly became a very serious pest. All levels of government became involved in a co-operative control effort and within a few years the insect was almost eradicated. At that point, with the threat no longer obvious, the program was ended. Left alone, the Gypsy moth very quickly became established throughout the north-eastern quarter of the United States. The first reported find in Canada occurred in Quebec in 1924 and then in New Brunswick in 1936, in both instances the pest was eradicated. However, the Gypsy moth became firmly established in Québec in the 1960's and quickly spread into Eastern Ontario. Today, Gypsy moth is established in southern Ontario, southern Quebec, south-western New Brunswick and south-western Nova Scotia. This survey is being conducted in support of policies D-95-03, D-95-14 (replaced by D-02-12), D-96-19, D-98-08, D-98-10 (superceded by D-98-08). Adult male monitoring surveys are conducted annually in non-regulated areas of Canada. Surveys are also conducted to verify eradication of the insect in areas where eradication programs have been undertaken and to monitor for the pest in pest free regulated areas. Two systems of trapping are used; a) detection trapping to determine the presence in an area free from and b) delimitation trapping to determine the extent of a population.

Newfoundland and Labrador

In 2006, 350 delta traps were deployed in the annual detection survey in Newfoundland. Traps were placed in areas that were identified as locations that posed a high risk of possible introduction, such as campgrounds, recreational sites, tourist chalets and wooded areas frequented by visitors. Three males were captured in the city of St. John's and three males were captured in Goose Bay.

Prince Edward Island

The detection survey for gypsy moth in Prince Edward Island is a co-operative undertaking between CFIA and Parks Canada. In 2006 a marked increase in moth captures and the number of positive traps was observed, compared to 2005. Among the 502 delta traps placed, 886 moths were captured in 173 positive traps (compared to 402 moths captured in 83 positive traps in 2005). Multiple trap captures were recorded from 113 traps with a maximum capture of 20 moths from a single trap. The city of Charlottetown had the highest trap captures of 727 males in 87 traps. During follow-up egg mass searches, conducted in the fall and early spring, various life stages, including 27 new egg masses, of gypsy moth were found in the Charlottetown area. This was the second year in a row where evidence of a reproducing population had been detected.

Nova Scotia

The CFIA conducted leading edge trapping along the eastern boundary of the regulated area, and detection trapping throughout eastern N.S. In support of the survey activity, the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources has had in place (since 1995) a province-wide network of pheromone traps to monitor population trends. In 2006, there were 395 traps placed and the highest male moth captures were recorded in the Halifax area. Egg mass searches were completed in the fall of 2006 around traps with catches greater than 5 adults. At present a total of 15 new egg masses were identified in the Parrsboro and Amherst areas in the non-regulated county of Cumberland. Three new egg masses were identified in the town of Truro in the non-regulated county of Colchester. Two egg masses were identified in Elmsdale and one was found in Milford. Both communities are located in the non-regulated areas of Hants County.

New Brunswick

In 2006 Gypsy moth surveys within the province of New Brunswick were a co-operative undertaking between the CFIA, the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources (NBDNR) and the municipalities of Fredericton, Moncton and Miramichi.

An aerial survey conducted by NBDNR did not detect any signs of defoliation caused by gypsy moth in 2006. This was the third year in a row in which no detectable amount of defoliation were observed.

In addition to the aerial and ground defoliation survey conducted, trapping surveys were carried out by all partners. Trapping efforts focused on; 1) delimitation along the leading edge of the infestation; 2) early detection in areas removed from infested areas; 3) detection at locations with a high risk of introduction (e.g. importing saw mills, tourist areas) 4) delimitation surveys within municipalities, and 5) monitoring of trap catches in known gypsy moth areas.

The CFIA placed 206 delta traps along the leading edge and at high risk sites primarily in non-regulated areas. NBDNR deployed a total of 176 traps in 2006 - with 105 traps used for early detection within areas not known to have gypsy moth populations; 46 were used to monitor low level gypsy moth populations within areas previously declared infested and 25 were added to augment the monitoring of the Provincial Tree Nursery in Kingsclear. Three municipalities (Fredericton, Moncton and Miramichi) deployed a total of 133 traps as part of the ongoing delimitation surveys. The City of Miramichi trapped 829 males in the 43 traps deployed; Moncton 1,594 males in the 43 traps deployed; Fredericton trapped 28,979 males in the 47 traps deployed. In general, provincial trap catch numbers increased in 2006 due to the high winter survival of egg masses caused by an unseasonably warm winter. Significant increases in trap captures were also reported from Bouctouche, Memramcook, Paquetville, Peticodiac, Sackville and Shediac.

In addition to pheromone trapping, egg mass surveys were conducted in the fall of 2006 by NBDNR, CFIA and municipal staff. CFIA egg mass searches was conducted around all traps with catches of greater than 5 adults. Egg masses were found in the City of Moncton, the town of Sackville, the town of Memramcook, the town of Bouctouche and the town of Peticodiac.

Quebec

Surveys for the North American biotype of gypsy moth were not conducted by CFIA staff in 2006. According to provincial surveillance information, the overall gypsy moth distribution has not changed significantly in Quebec in a number of years with little to no defoliation observed in the past several years except in a few isolated locations in southern Quebec.

Ontario

According to CFS aerial survey information, there was an increase in the total area of moderate-to-severe defoliation caused by the gypsy moth in 2006 (10,309 ha) when compared to 2005 (1,242 ha) and 2004 (441 ha). All of the defoliation occurred in the Southern Ontario primarily in the Regional Municipality of Niagara, Halton County, Haldimand County and Norfolk County. Further information on specific areas of defoliation can be obtained from the Canadian Forest Service in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. In 2006, 285 Delta traps were placed along transportation corridors in a linear arrangement in the Thunder Bay area. There were a total of 37 adult moth captures at 24 sites with a maximum capture of 6 moths in a single trap.

Gypsy Moth Defoliation in Ontario 1981-2006
Gypsy Moth Defoliation in Ontario 1981-2006">

Western Canada: Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia

Annual surveys are conducted for Gypsy Moth in all four Western Canada provinces by both the CFIA and provincial partners. For this detection survey Delta traps are baited with + disparlure pheromone.

In Manitoba, in 2006 there were 3 sites that were positive for Lymantria dispar yielding a total of 9 male moths being captured. Five male moths were captured at a golf course south of Winnipeg in La Salle (two males were captured here in 2004). Two males were captured at an industrial park in the south end of Winnipeg and the third site was a nursery in Carmen where 2 male moths were captured.

In Saskatchewan, 187 traps were set in 2006 with three sites having positive finds for Lymantria dispar. A single male moth was trapped at a campground in Regina another single male was captured north of Saskatoon at a park in Martensville. Nine males were captured at Gabriel Dumont Park in Saskatoon. This is the second year in a row with captures in this park.

In Alberta for 2006 348, traps were deployed all traps were negative Lymantria dispar.

In British Columbia, the CFIA undertakes and conducts the majority of the surveys with the B.C. Ministry of Forests and Range taking the lead in eradication and control programs following any new detections.

In British Columbia during 2006, 6527 traps were set out resulting in 155 male moths being caught in the following locations:

  • Lower Mainland: Annacis Island (2), Chilliwack (1), Harrison Hot Springs (1), White Rock (1).
  • Vancouver Island: Colwood (7), Courtenay (39), Ladysmith (6), Lake Cowichan (1), Mill Bay (1), Nanaimo (1), Saanich (36), Sidney / North Saanich (23), Salt Spring Island (35), and Sidney (8).
  • Interior: Grand Forks (1).

In areas where there are multiple male moths captured in pheromone traps, visual surveys for egg masses are carried out to determine population characteristics. In 2006, egg masses were found in Sidney (1 new unfertilized egg mass and 9 old egg masses), Saanich (4 new viable egg masses and 2 old egg masses).

Sudden Oak Death (Phytophthora ramorum)

Phytophthora ramorum, is a fungus-like plant pathogen that causes a disease known as Ramorum Blight and Leafdrop on a wide variety of nursery plants. It has also been associated with a disease of oak, known as "Sudden Oak Death" that was first observed in coastal California in the mid-1990's and now occurs as far north as southern Oregon.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency conducts annual surveys for P. ramorum and has in the past detected the presence of the organism on plants in a number of retail/wholesale nurseries (mainly associated with imports from the United States) in the southern coastal area of British Columbia. When P. ramorum is found, the nursery site is placed under quarantine and all infected plant material is destroyed. Extensive surveys and traceforward and traceback activities are then conducted to ensure the organism has been eliminated.

The National P. ramorum Survey, is conducted from May to September with the majority of the inspection conducted during the spring months. The survey covers from 30% to 100% of the production and wholesale nurseries in a province, depending on the size of the industry in each province. At each of these sites, all blocks of host material are inspected and composite samples collected from within any block showing suspect plants. A sample consists of a composite of 7-10 symptomatic plant parts (leaves or stems) collected from one host genus in a block at a production site. There may be more than one sample per genus per block depending on the amount and diversity of symptoms observed.

Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island

In 2006, surveys were conducted in New Brunswick (7 sites, 15 samples submitted), Nova Scotia (9 sites, 42 samples submitted), Prince Edward Island (12 sites, 2 samples submitted), Quebec (26 sites, 112 samples submitted) and in Ontario (86 sites, 866 samples submitted). P. ramorum was not detected during the National Survey outside of British Columbia.

British Columbia

In early September 2006 , the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) detected Phytophthora ramorum at three retail garden centres; two of which are operated by the same owner. The origins of the disease at these sites is uncertain as P. ramorum was found at these sites in 2004, and all three sites were sampled and found free of P. ramorum in 2005. These retail garden centres source plants both locally and from the US and were sampled as post eradication sites due to these previous detections. The plants found infected with P. ramorum were Rhododendron 'Catawbiense Boursault', 2 Rhododendron spp., Hamamelis 'Diane' and Viburnum bodnantense 'Dawn'.

At each retail garden centre, once infected plants were confirmed, all host plant material in the three garden centres were detained until they could be sampled. The infected blocks of plants were destroyed and a 90 day quarantine of host plants 10 meters beyond the destruction blocks have been instituted. During this control period, plants, soil and water at each of the garden centres was sampled and tested.

To date in British Columbia over 173 wholesale and retail nurseries have been surveyed as part of the National P. ramorum survey. Over 27,000 samples have been collected for P. ramorum testing, and, apart from the 3 retail nurseries, no other infections have been detected.

Eradication efforts also continue at one wholesale nursery site located in Pitt Meadows, as a result of P. ramorum being detected there in late 2005. Given this is a repeat site for P. ramorum detections, stringent controls have been put in place restricting the movement of all plants as well the requirement for the sampling of all symptomatic plants (both host and non-host), soil and water. Currently, arrangements are made at this site to treat soils that have tested positive for P. ramorum. For the current year, 8,748 plant samples have been taken at this nursery, along with 99 soil samples and 41 water samples. All testing of plants in the 100m perimeter of this site have been negative. Sampling and monitoring of this site will continue until the 90 day quarantine period on the 10 meters of host plants beyond the destruction blocks have taken place and no P. ramorum is found.

Location Number of Survey Sites
Vancouver Island 6
BC Interior 6
Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley 28
Total 40

Brown Spruce Longhorned Beetle (Tetropium fuscum)

The brown spruce longhorn beetle (BSLB), Tetropium fuscum (Fabricius), an introduced wood boring pest, is native to north and central Europe and Japan, where it uses stressed and dying conifers as hosts, most notably the Norway spruce (Picea abies). In 1999, the beetle was detected in Point Pleasant Park, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and subsequent investigations confirmed that beetles collected in the park as early as 1990 were, in fact, T. fuscum. Studies conducted by the Canadian Forest Service since 1999 indicate that the wood-boring beetle is killing healthy spruce trees by feeding on the cambium and phloem and eventually girdling the tree. BSLB is considered to be a quarantine pest in North America. Panel traps baited with host volatiles and a pheromone are used for this survey.

Nova Scotia

In 2006, the BSLB survey was expanded to include all areas of the province. This extensive detection survey employed a total of 208 panel traps baited with a unique spruce-blend lure (developed by researchers with Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service). The traps were set out by the CFIA and the NSDNR. New finds were confirmed at Glenmore and Sheet Harbour, Nova Scotia, 63 km and 90 km respectively, from Point Pleasant Park, Halifax, the presumed epicenter of the beetle's population.

In addition, approximately 30 km2 of most susceptible spruce forest stands were visually surveyed with tree banding also being carried out as a means of trapping adult beetles during the BSLB flight season (May-August). In 2006, 927 trees were banded with polyester quilt batting 10 of these trees were positive BSLB.

Approximately 25 positive BSLB locations have now been identified outside the Ministerial Order boundary established in 2000, up from 7 sites identified from 2001-2005.

Please visit the CFIA Brown Spruce Longhorned Beetle site for more information on this program.

Samples collected from traps deployed outside
of the current ministerial order boundary* (Established In 2000)

Trap Types Traps
Quilt Traps  
Number of Traps Deployed 927
Number of Positive Trapsr 10
Number of BSLB Collected 10
Host Volatile Traps **  
Number of Traps Deployed 208
Number of Positive Traps 28
Number of BSLB Collected 67
Median Trap Catch 2
Range (Minimum - Maximum) 1-13

* Data are from traps located outside the Ministerial Order Zone, with the exception of three located near the Ministerial Order Zone boundary.
** Not included in the table is one exotic beetle trap, deployed under the Invasive Alien Species program, that captured one Tetropium fuscum adult.

Prince Edward Island

In 2006, this trapping survey was completed at 6 sites on Prince Edward Island. All samples submitted to the lab for identification were negative for Tetropium fuscum.

New Brunswick

In 2006, this trapping survey was completed at 16 sites in New Brunswick. There were 14 samples submitted to the lab for identification. No Tetropium fuscum were detected.

Newfoundland and Labrador

In 2006, this trapping survey was completed at 6 sites in the Corner Brook area of NL. No Tetropium fuscum were detected.

Pine Shoot Beetle (Tomicus piniperda)

Pine shoot beetle (PSB), Tomicus piniperda (Linnaeus) native to Asia, northern Africa, and Europe was first found in North America in 1992 in Ohio. A serious pest of pines (Pinus spp.), the beetle attacks new shoots stunting the growth of the tree. The pest which is believed to have been introduced through solid wood packing material has since been detected in the Great Lakes region of Canada and throughout the northeastern United States. This survey is being conducted in support of D-94-22 Plant Protection Requirements on Pine Plants and Pine Materials to Prevent the Entry and Spread of Pine Shoot Beetle and various other policies and programs aimed at preventing the spread of Pine Shoot Beetle (PSB) from infested areas within Canada and the US. Both a trapping and a visual inspection component are included in this survey. Funnel traps are baited with host volatile and pheromone lures.

The list of infested areas can be found in the Appendix 1 of D-94-22.

Newfoundland and British Columbia

Pine Shoot Beetle (PSB) detection surveys in these provinces were incorporated into the Exotic Forest Insect Survey through the use of the ultra-high release alpha-pinene baited traps. No Tomicus piniperda were detected in these provinces.

New Brunswick

In New Brunswick surveys are conducted near sites that have a high risk of introduction from North American sources, such as sawmills that import pine logs from the US or in pine stand along major transportation corridors. In 2006, traps were set in 28 sites throughout the province. Most sites had three traps however a few sites had either one or two traps. Visual surveys were completed at 23 sites. A total of 28 samples were submitted for identification. No Tomicus piniperda were detected.

Nova Scotia

In 2006, this survey was completed in cooperation with Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources staff setting and monitoring CFIA traps. Ten sites with three traps each were selected. Samples were submitted to a the local CFIA office for preparation and submission to Centre for Plant Quarantine Pests Lab for identification. A total of 5 samples were submitted to the CFIA lab for identification. No Tomicus piniperda were detected.

Ontario

Trapping and visual surveys were conducted in 2006 to delimit the distribution of Tomicus piniperda in Northern Ontario and determine infestation status in counties where Tomicus piniperda was not known to occur. A total of 25 sites were targeted in Northern Ontario with 3-5 traps deployed per site for a total of 98 traps. No Tomicus piniperda were detected.

Quebec

Trapping and visual surveys were conducted in 2006 to delimit the distribution of Tomicus piniperda within the province. A total of 133 sites were targeted. Tomicus piniperda was detected in four new MRC's; Ste-Sophie (MRC La Rivière du Nord), Oka (MRC Deux Montagnes), Ste-Catherine de la Jacques Cartier (MRC La Jacques Cartier) and St-Pamphile (MRC l'Islet).

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae)

Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), Adelges tsuga (Annand) was accidentally introduced into the American state of Virgina in the 1950's from Asia. Since then it has spread northward to Maine and New York, and westward to Tennessee, causing serious damage to its only known North American host, hemlock (Tsuga spp.). This destructive pest feeds at the base of needles casing them to desiccate and fall off. On the west coast of North America, HWA has been observed from Alaska south to California where it has been a minor pest on western hemlock, T. heterophylla. This visual survey is aimed at the early detection and prevention of the introduction and establishment of HWA from infested areas within Canada and the US into non-infested areas of Canada. Recent finds in Maine and Buffalo, NY have been directly linked to the movement of nursery stock from infested eastern states.

Surveys for this pest began in 2001. To date, no positive finds have been reported for this insect. The survey activity also demonstrated that relatively few importing nurseries deal in hemlock stock in Canada. In addition, native hemlock although widespread, are not abundant and are often not inventoried. In 2006, visual surveys were conducted in and around importing nurseries New Brunswick (9 sites), Nova Scotia (13 sites), Quebec (17 sites) and in Ontario (20 sites) in support of a the import Directive (D-01-12). No evidence of Adelges tsugae was detected.

Horticulture Surveys

Plum Pox Virus

For information on the PPV program visit the CFIA PPV page. Details on the 2006 surveys can be found in the Survey Updates section at the bottom of the page.

Blueberry Scorch Virus

Damage caused by this virus in British Columbia has led to concerns that more virulent strains may exist than those which occur in eastern North America. A survey to determine the virus's presence in eastern Canada was requested by the CFIA Horticulture Section, Plant Health Division. For 2006, this survey was limited to selected commercial highbush blueberry farms in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia with all samples being analyzed by PCR at the Sidney Laboratory - Plant Viruses and Virus-like Diseases, British Columbia.

In Ontario 194 samples were collected from 31 farms. In Nova Scotia 17 farms were surveyed with a total of 71 samples collected and submitted to the lab. In Quebec 41 farms from 10 different MRCs were surveyed and sampled. The Blueberry Scorch Virus was detected in two samples collected in 2006; one sample, collected at a highbush plantation near Granby, Quebec the other one was collected near Mount Pleasant, Brant County in Ontario.

Swede Midge (Contarinia nasturtii)

In 2000, Ontario researchers determined that damage observed on broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) since 1996, originally attributed to nutrient deficiencies, was actually caused by Contarinia nasturtii (swede midge). This was the first identification of the swede midge in North America. Some of the fields in which the pest was found had up to 80% loss in marketable yield. An unofficial survey in 2001 reported the pest being present in nine counties in Ontario, some of which are contiguous with the state of New York in the U.S., and one municipality in Quebec. Presently, swede midge is present in 22 counties and jurisdictions in the province of Ontario and 26 MRC's in the province of Quebec. This survey includes both a pheromone trapping and a visual inspection component and is being conducted in support of policies and programs related to D-02-06, to support Canada's Pest Free Area claims for export.

In 2006, the CFIA expanded the survey for Contarinia nasturtii to include the Western and Atlantic provinces of Canada. This trapping survey uses a sex pheromone to target Swede Midge adult males was conducted from mid May to late September in 2006. Traps were checked and the sticky liner was replaced every week during the crop growing season. The removed liner was submitted to the CFIA Centre for Plant Quarantine Pests in Ottawa for identification of suspect specimens. More information on the background of this pest and the CFIA response can be found on the CFIA Horticulture web site.

In Western Canada the survey included canola fields in addition to cole crops. The surveys conducted in Alberta and British Columbia were undertaken with the cooperation from the Provincial Governments. Contarinia nasturtii was not detected in the Western Canada in 2006.

Province Number of sites surveyed
British Columbia 8
Alberta 16
Saskatchewan 19
Manitoba 15
Total 15

Ontario

The CFIA surveyed 30 sites in Ontario, all of which were located in counties outside of those in which the insect was found prior to the 2004 season. CFIA survey activity focused on fields planted with cole crops, especially those not in crop rotation and were planted with cole crops the previous year. Swede midge was detected in two new counties (Huron and Middlesex) in 2006. The majority of Swede midge specimens were captured in cauliflower, cabbage and canola.

Quebec

In Quebec 42 sites were surveyed all of which were located in MRCs outside of the current regulated area. As a result of the continuing survey Contarinia nasturtii was confirmed in 6 additional MRC's: Laurentides, Papineau, Ile d'Orléan, Portneuf, Francheville and Maskoutains.

Atlantic Canada

In 2006, surveys were conducted for the first time in New Brunswick (13 sites), Nova Scotia (9 sites), Prince Edward Island (14 sites) and in Newfoundland and Labrador (15 sites). No evidence of Contarinia nasturtii was detected.

Oriental Fruit Moth (Grapholita molesta)

Native to China and Korea, where the peach tree is also native, the Oriental fruit moth was spread to many temperate fruit-growing areas of the world during the first thirty years of this century. The means of spread between countries was almost certainly as cocoons on dormant fruit-tree nursery stock, but spread within each country also occurred with infested fruit. This insect was first reported in the USA in 1916 and it rapidly spread throughout that country. It was first reported in Ontario in 1925. Today, the only commercial peach-growing area of North America which is free of the pest is the province of British Columbia. A small population was detected in 1957 and eradicated at great expense; annual surveys since 1957 have been negative for this pest. Annual pheromone trapping surveys for G. molesta are carried out in British Columbia using wing traps with a baited flexlure pheromone dispenser. The principle area of commercial stone fruit production in B.C. is the Okanagan Valley where the majority of trapping takes place.

A total of 141 sites (Okanagan Valley -108 traps, Vancouver Island -18 traps, Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley -15 traps) were trapped in 2006 with no Grapholita molesta being detected.

Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica)

Japanese Beetle (JB), Popillia japonica (Newman), is native to the main islands of Japan and was first discovered in North America in 1916 in a nursery near Riverton, New Jersey (US). The first beetle found in Canada was in a tourist's car, arriving in Nova Scotia at Yarmouth by ferry from Maine, in 1939. During that same year three additional adults were again captured at Yarmouth and three more at Lacolle in Southern Quebec. Treatment programs have been unable to completely eliminate this pest from Canada and currently there are populations established in Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. Additionally, the pest is distributed throughout eastern United States.

This species of beetle affects more than 300 plant species, including some economically important commodity plants such as fruit trees, ornamental shrubs and roses, field crops, turf grasses, and sod. The larva feeds on roots and is a major turfgrass pest of golf courses, recreational and industrial parks, school grounds and home lawns. The adult feeds above ground on foliage , flowers and fruits.

This survey is being conducted in support of policies and programs related to the plant health policy directive D-96-15 Phytosanitary Requirements to Prevent the Spread of Japanese Beetle, Popillia japonica in Canada and the United States. The survey is conducted in order to clarify the distribution of JB for regulatory purposes. Specifically designed JB traps baited with a pheromone and food lure are used for this survey.

Nova Scotia

See survey reports for 2001 and 2002 for detailed descriptions of the survey and control activities following the 2001 discovery of an infestation in Cornwallis Park, Halifax. For 2006, the survey area was increased and covered all areas of Nova Scotia. There were approximately 900 traps set throughout the non-regulated counties in Nova Scotia (Only the western half of Halifax County was regulated at the start of the survey). Over 9900 beetles were collected (see table).

Municipality County Beetles Collected
Sydney Cape Breton 1
Port Hawkesbury Inverness 1
Oxford Cumberland 1
Oxford Cumberland 1
Oxford Cumberland 1
Westville Pictou 1
Liverpool / Brooklyn Queens 9900 +
Shelburne Shelburne 8

British Columbia

Annual detection surveys for Popillia japonica are conducted in British Columbia. In total, 290 sites were trapped in Greater Vancouver/Fraser Valley (94), Vancouver Island (138) and in the Interior (58) during 2006. Other areas of the province are not suitable for larval development. The survey focused on nurseries, garden centers, sod farms, golf courses and around sites that may have been exposed to regulated imported material from infested areas of the US or Canada. Japanese beetle (P. japonica) was not detected in British Columbia in 2006.

Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland

In 2006, the expanded survey was continued in support of the Japanese Beetle Policy Directive. Detection surveys in these non-infested provinces focused on public or private sites with managed lawns and gardens such as nurseries, garden centers, sod farms, golf courses, parks and around sites that may have been exposed to regulated imported material from infested areas of the US or Canada. Surveys were conducted at 90 sites in Prince Edward Island and 45 sites in Newfoundland. There were no positive trap captures in Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland.

New Brunswick

In 2006, the detection survey was completed at 255 sites throughout New Brunswick utilizing 764 traps. There were 23 beetles collected (see table).

Municipality County Beetles Collected
Alma Albert 1
Woodstock Carleton 1
St. Stephen Charlotte 9
Beresford Gloucester 3
Sussex Kings 1
Cornhill Kings 1
Saint John Saint John 1
Perth-Andover Victoria 1
Moncton Westmorland 1
Fredericton York 2
Lower St. Marys York 1
Lincoln Sunbury 1

Chrysanthemum White Rust (Puccinia horiana)

Chrysanthemum White Rust (Puccinia horiana Henn.) is a fungal disease of chrysanthemum. It was first reported from China and Japan in 1895. It spread to all far east countries in the early 1900's, from there it spread to South Africa and Europe in the 1960's. It has since spread throughout Europe and has reached South America, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico. Localized introductions have occurred in United States and Canada. The introduction and spread of chrysanthemum white rust could lead to serious losses. The disease can spread rapidly throughout a greenhouse causing complete crop failure. Intensive management and continuous control measures are required where the disease is present. There is evidence that chrysanthemum white rust develops tolerance to certain pesticides used to control the disease. The introduction of the disease could also result in the loss of export markets for chrysanthemums. New introductions are subject to CFIA's eradication plan and are followed up with visual surveys around affected facilities.

British Columbia

In October 2006, a chrysanthemum plant exhibiting symptoms of Puccinia horiana infection was noticed by a CFIA inspector in a flower shop on Granville Island (Vancouver). The infected plant had been purchased through the United Flower Growers auction. The positive find of P. horiana triggered trace back and trace-out surveys that were conducted on Vancouver Island, the lower mainland and in the Okanagan Valley. Surveys of 56 sites led to the detection of Chrysanthemum White Rust at 19 locations. All of the suspect and positive plants were destroyed.

Blueberry Maggot (Rhagoletis mendax)

This fly is native to eastern North America including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and the northeastern States; it has been found in southwest Ontario in 1993, and few years later, in fall 1996, in southern part of Quebec province.

It is a destructive insect of lowbush and highbush blueberry fruits by feeding activity of the larval stage. The introduction and establishment of the blueberry maggot could jeopardize the commercial blueberry industry in some uninfested areas such as Newfoundland, British-Columbia and Lac St-Jean, QC. Spread in nature is possible by suitable wild hosts as huckleberry (Gaylussacia spp.), mountain cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idea), wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), etc.

CFIA annually surveys by trapping adults with ammonium carbonate-baited sticky traps and by sampling fruit for larvae. These surveys support claims of pest free zones and justifies requirements for importation and domestic movement of regulated commodities. Details on the regulatory policy directive for this pest can be found at D-02-04.

Newfoundland

Detection trapping was conducted at 30 sites where lowbush blueberries are commercially harvested in Newfoundland. The major areas surveyed were the Avalon and Bonavista peninsulas, central Newfoundland and near Port aux Basques. No Rhagoletis mendax flies were detected in Newfoundland in 2006.

British Columbia

The Fraser Valley is the major production area of commercial blueberries in B.C. A small number of farms are also located on southern Vancouver Island. The production area is surveyed on a three year rotation cycle with one third surveyed in any given year. In this way the total production area is surveyed after three years. In 2006, 20 sites were trapped in the Fraser Valley with 9 sites surveyed on Vancouver Island. No Rhagoletis mendax flies were detected in British Columbia in 2006.

Quebec

In Quebec during 2006, the survey involved trapping and fruit sampling at 172 sites. The sites selected included commercial plantations, hobby farms and natural areas with wild host material. Adults flies of Rhagoletis mendax were detected at a total of 4 sites in 2006 two locations were within the MRC Jardins-de-Napierville (Hemmingford, Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle) and at two sites within the MRC Le Haut-Saint-Laurent (a wild site near Saint-Chrysostome, Franklin). No life stages of Rhagoletis mendax were detected in the Lac St-Jean or the Quebec City areas.

Ontario

In Ontario, trapping and fruit sampling for Rhagoletis mendax was conducted at 42 sites in 2006. Positive samples were collected from two previously positive commercial sites in addition to a new positive site in West Lorne, Elgin County. A commercial grower near Fenwick, Pelham, Niagara was also found to be positive for R. mendax. Rhagoletis mendax was again detected in the Wainfleet Bog, Wainfleet Township, Niagara in wild Vaccinium.

Apple Maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella)

The apple maggot is indigenous to North America and has been a serious pest of apples in Canada for over 100 years. The first official record of the pest was at Aldolphustown, Ontario in 1896. By 1905 the insect had extended its area to Como and St. Hilaire, Quebec. A few years later it was found near Digby, Nova Scotia. It is now widespread throughout eastern Canada, with the exception of Newfoundland. In 2005 it was detected for the first time in Edmonton, Alberta. British Columbia, until 2006, was the only major apple producing area in North America that was considered free of the apple maggot, Rhagoletis pomonella. An annual survey has occurred for many years in British Columbia to support claims of pest freedom and justify import restrictions under Policy Directive D-00-07. The CFIA survey targets high-risk sites, fruit stands, organic growers and abandoned urban high risk areas. In addition, increased trapping along the Canada-US border is carried out to detect the potential spread of populations in adjacent areas south of the border. Apple maggot traps used in this survey are sticky plasticized red spheres baited with ammonium carbonate. These survey efforts are supported by the BC Provincial Ministry of Agriculture through commercial orchards surveys.

In 2006, the CFIA detected apple maggot in 6 municipalities during regular survey activities in the Lower Mainland (1 site in Langley, 16 sites in Abbotsford, 1 site in Chilliwack, 1 site in Yarrow) and on Vancouver Island (2 sites in Victoria, 1 site in Esquimalt). In total, 60 adults were captured and identified by the CFIA. These finds were the result of stepped-up surveillance activity following finds in the US along the Canada-US border in 2004 and 2005. In 2006, 903 sites were trapped compared to 336 sites in 2005. There were no detections of R. pomonella in the commercial fruit growing regions in the interior of the province, which are geographically separated by a mountain range from the coastal area that is now deemed to be infested.

Location Number of traps
Vancouver Island 139
BC Interior 356
Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley 408
Total 903

Golden Twin Spot, Chrysodeixis sp.

British Columbia

At the end of August 2006, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed in post eradication surveys, the presence of the exotic noctuid moth identified as Chrysodeixis chalcites (Esper) or Chrysodeixis eriosoma (Doubleday) in the municipality of Delta, British Columbia. Eradication actions for this pest in greenhouse vegetable production facilities in the area were implemented when this pest was first detected at the end of December 2005.

C. chalcites is distributed primarily between 45N and 35S, from southern Europe and the Mediterranean and the Middle East to southern Africa, while C. eriosoma is found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of eastern Asia and the Pacific Islands as well as the northern two- thirds of Australia. The larvae of both species are highly polyphagous and feed on the foliage and fruit of a wide variety of field and vegetable crops, ornamental plants and weeds. Feeding by the larval stages of this pest may lead to reduction in yields, reduction in quality, and increased production costs.

Trapping in the outdoor environment for this pest took place throughout the summer and fall. After the arrival of cold weather in October 2006 no moths were detected. Greenhouse vegetable production facilities which could potentially overwinter this pest were placed under quarantine and compliance agreements from the summer of 2006 to the spring of 2007 to prevent potential spread with agricultural products; facilities were also required to carry out eradication activities. With the conclusion of the eradication activities at these greenhouse vegetable production facilities, post eradication trapping surveys were carried out from January 2007 to April 2007. As of April 20, 2007, trapping of these greenhouse facilities has concluded with no detections, and these facilities have now been released from quarantine.

Status of the pest in Canada: eradicated.

Quarantine status of the pest: under review.

Grapevine Phytoplasma (Flavescence Doré and Bois Noir)

Importation of grapevines into Canada from countries other than the US is controlled through the certification of exporting nurseries. The program is designed to prevent the introduction of a number of serious quarantine viruses and phytoplasmas of grapevine not known to occur in Canada. Under this importation program, tests are carried out both in France and in Canada against quarantine viruses/pests of Canada, prior to the approval for the importation of any variety and rootstock. At present only specific grapevine varieties and rootstock from France and Germany are approved for importation into Canada under this program.

Following a recently review of the export program in France it was deemed necessary to conduct this survey in Canada to provide assurance that imported material is free of the phytoplasmas Flavescence dorée and Bois noir. The survey focused on vineyards that had been planted with imported vines from France and Germany in the past 5 years. Only plants exhibiting symptoms of possible phytoplasma infection were sampled for testing.

Ontario

In 2006, 106 growers had received imports from France and Germany in 2006. A total of 55 sites were surveyed and 108 samples were collected. All samples were negative for Flavescence dorée and Bois noir.

New Brunswick

In 2006, four sites were visually surveyed. These sites were not associated with direct importations from either France or Germany. No suspect samples were submitted.

Nova Scotia

In 2006, one importer was surveyed and sampled. All samples submitted were negative for Flavescence dorée and Bois noir.

British Columbia

In 2006, 83 sites were surveyed with 28 suspect samples collected and submitted for testing. The majority of the samples came from the grape growing region of the interior of the province. In October, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) identified Bois noir in a single grapevine at a vineyard in Osoyoos, BC. The grapevine was imported to Canada in 2006 in a lot of approximately 2000 plants of the same variety.

Traceback activities identified the source of the infected grapevine as a nursery in France, and grapevines in the same imported lot have been traced to their planting sites. The grapevines at the facilities involved are under regulatory control and all associated plants were disposed of. Traceback activities were ongoing at the time of this report in order to determine if any other affected grapevines may have been planted in Canada. The CFIA is taking necessary actions leading to eradication of this introduced pest.

Apple Ermine Moth, Yponomeuta malinellus

This defoliator of apple trees was eradicated in New Brunswick (1917) and in Ontario (1957). In Canada, it is considered to be established in British Columbia in the major apple production areas as the Okanagan Valley, the Fraser Valley and southeastern Vancouver. This insect is not known to occur east of the Rocky Mountains.

Long distance spread is mainly by transportation of dormant material infested with egg masses. CFIA applies phytosanitary requirements for importation and domestic movement of regulated goods. This biennial detection survey is conducted in non-infested apple-producing provinces. The survey focuses on importers of Malus stock from BC, abandoned orchards and new urban plantings. Trapping is conducted form mid-July to September using Pherocon 1C wing traps baited with AEM rubber septum pheromone. At each trap site visual inspections are also conducted for larval webs and cocoons in the crown of the Malus hosts).

Details on the directive can be found at D-96-02.

Atlantic Canada

In Nova Scotia, trapping and visual surveys were conducted in abandoned orchards and fruit farms at 16 locations in Kings county. On Prince Edward Island where there is very little commercial apple production, detection trapping surveys were carried out at total of 10 locations in the three counties (Kings, Queens and Prince). In New Brunswick a trapping survey was conducted at 10 sites including importing nurseries, abandoned orchards and at the AAFC Potato Research Station in Lincoln. No Y. malinellus were detected in any of the Atlantic provinces in 2006.

Ontario and Quebec

In Quebec, both trapping and visual surveys were conducted at 43 sites in 10 MRCs and the Communauté urbaine de Québec. The targeted areas included importing nurseries, unsprayed orchards and areas with abandoned trees. In Ontario, surveys were conducted at 50 sites, including commercial orchards, abandoned orchards, nurseries and garden centers, in 19 counties throughout the province. Yponomeuta malinellus was not detected in any trap or visual surveys in Quebec or Ontario in 2006.

Apple Clearwing Moth, Synanthedon myopaeformis

Apple clearwing moth, Synanthedon myopaeformis, occurs from southern Scandinavia though central Europe to North Africa and Asia Minor. It is primarily a pest of Rosaceae (e.g. apple, pear, plum, peach, apricot, quince, Sorbus, and Crataegus) and has been reported to cause some damage to fruit trees in parts of Europe (example; Belgium, the Netherlands).

In the summer of 2005 several adult specimens of the apple clearwing moth, Synanthedon myopaeformis (Borkhausen) (Sesiidae) were collected from symptomatic apple trees growing in an orchard in Cawston, British Columbia. This was the first discovery of this pest of apples in North America.

In 2006, The Canadian Food Inspection Agency carried out detection surveys in the apple production areas across Canada to determine the distribution of this pest. This was a trapping survey utilizing green or orange delta traps along with a rubber septum baited with a pheromone.

British Columbia

In 2006, detections surveys were carried out in the apple production area of British Columbia. The Apple Clearwing moth, Synanthedon myopaeformis, was detected in 5 locations in the BC interior near the towns of Ellison (Near Kelowna), Oliver, Oosoyoos, Cawston and Keremeos and at the three sites in the Fraser Valley near Langley, Abbotsford, and Yarrow. Adjacent populations were also reported by the United States in Western Washington near the Fraser Valley finds.

Ontario and Quebec

In Ontario, a total of 89 sites within the apple growing areas were surveyed. In mid-June, S. myopaeformis was confirmed in a trap at one apple orchard in Fingal, Ontario. No visual signs were evident at the positive site. As a result of this find an additional 43 traps were deployed at sites identified by a trace forward procedure. All locations, with the exception of the Fingal site, were negative for S. myopaeformis.

In Quebec, a total of 36 sites within 12 MRCs were surveyed. Targeted locations included abandoned orchards, active orchards, nurseries and retailers. All locations were negative for S. myopaeformis.

Atlantic Canada

In Atlantic Canada a total of 47 sites in the apple production areas were surveyed this included 17 sites in Nova Scotia , 10 sites on Prince Edward Island and 20 sites in New Brunswick. All sites were negative for Synanthedon myopaeformis.

Leek Moth, Acrolepiopsis assectella

The leek moth larvae are highly specialized to feed on the leaves of various plants belonging to the Allium genus, including onion, leek, garlic, shallot and chive. It is a serious pest of leeks in continental Europe. The larvae prefer younger leaves (0-7 days) but will consume leaves up to two months old.

This insect was first reported in North America in the mid 1990's around Ottawa, Ontario and in a few locations in west Quebec. The 2003 CFIA survey identified leek moth as far east as Drummondville, Quebec and at a number of small organic garlic farms in eastern Ontario. In North America, leek moth has only been found in Canada.

The CFIA has determined that, although it can cause damage to organic garlic crops, and leek or scallions not treated with pesticides, leek moth is not a significant economic pest to Canadian commercial Allium production. Leek moth is therefore not a quarantine pest to Canada. However, leek moth is considered a quarantine pest in the US and this has impacted exports of Canadian produce. Allium spp. plant material with green parts such as leeks and green onions (scallions) represent the majority of fresh Allium sp. exports from Canada into the US. All targeted commodities destined to be exported to US from Canada must be certified free of any life stage of the pest. In addition, pheromone surveys are conducted in non-infested provinces to support pest free areas.

Atlantic Canada

In Atlantic Canada a total of 31 sites were surveyed this included 10 sites in each of the provinces of Nova Scotia , Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. One site was surveyed in New Brunswick. All sites were negative for Acrolepiopsis assectella.

British Columbia

In British Columbia at a total of 6 traps where placed at 3 sites located in the lower mainland and the Fraser Valley. All sites were negative for Acrolepiopsis assectella.

Variegated Golden Tortrix, Archips xylosteana

Newfoundland

In 2005, a US entomologist reported collecting a specimen of Archips xylosteana on the campus of Memorial University in St. Johns's Newfoundland. This pest of broad-leaved trees and shrubs is not known to be present in North America. It's native distributed includes northern Africa, Asia, and across all of Europe.

In 2006, a detection survey was conducted to confirm the presence of Archips xylosteana in St. John's Newfoundland. The trap used in this survey was the Pherocon 1C wing trap baited with a rubber septum embedded with A. xylosteana pheromone A total of 20 traps were deployed, 10 traps were set in the area near the Biological Sciences building and a pond on the campus of Memorial University (MU) in the city of St. John's and 10 traps were set within 5 km of the campus. All the traps were placed in or near a host tree or shrub (Acer, Alunus, Betula, Castanea, Fraxinus., Malus, Populus, Prunus, Quercus, Ribes, Rubus, Salix, and Ulmas).

Of the 20 traps, 15 were positive for Archips xylosteana and five were inconclusive.

Grains and Field Crops Survey

Cereal Leaf Beetle (Oulema melanopus)

The cereal leaf beetle is a pest of cereals, grains and various grasses. The first record for the cereal leaf beetle in Canada was reported in 1967 from south-western Ontario. The cereal leaf beetle is now widely distributed throughout eastern North America and continues to spread into the west. This survey includes both a sampling (sweeping) and a visual inspection component and is being conducted in support of policies and programs related to D-02-09. The survey protocol is designed to conform to the standards established by the Western Cereal Leaf Beetle Working Group (CLBWG). The CLBWG represents 10 western states and provinces. Membership is composed of representatives from industry, federal and state entomologists, university researchers and extension agents.

Detection surveys were undertaken in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba to support area freedom. For 2006 the surveys were similar to those conducted in 2004 and 2005, concentrating on areas where potentially infested product may have been sent. Sampling consisted of 4 X 30 sweeps of the host plants at each site. In 2006, 42 sites were surveyed in Manitoba, 80 sites in Saskatchewan, 191 sites in Alberta and 30 sites in British Columbia. A few larvae of O. melanopus were found and minimal damage detected again in a field at the Lethbridge Research Centre in Lethbridge County, Alberta. In British Columbia three locations near Armstong, North Okanagan Regional District, were positive for all life stages of Oulema melanopus.

Surveys in Saskatchewan and Manitoba were all negative for Oulema melanopus.

Woolly Cupgrass, Eriochloa villosa

Quebec

Woolly Cupgrass, Eriochloa villosa, is an annual plant of the family Poaceae. Native to temperate Asia, it was introduced to the United States in the 1940s, apparently from ship's ballast. There are fifteen species of the Eriochloa genus in Central and North America, but most are located in the southwestern part of central United States. The genus has a limited forage value and many species are considered weedy. In the United States, woolly cupgrass is present in cultivated fields of many states and is well adapted to corn-corn and corn-soybean rotation. The control of woolly cupgrass can be very difficult and expensive. It is very prolific and tolerant to many herbicides.

In 2000, this weed (E. villosa) was first discovered in an experimental test plot close to St-Hyacinthe, Quebec. At the time it was discovered an eradication and control plan was put into place. In spite of eradication efforts made by the property owner, MAPAQ and the CFIA, the plant persists on the property. In Quebec, in 2003 and again in 2004, seeds of woolly cupgrass were detected in single lots of imported seed of Japanese millet. In July 2005, woolly cupgrass was added to the list of "Prohibited noxious weed seed" of the Weed Seed Order of the Seeds Act.

In 2006, visual surveys were conducted at 272 sites in Quebec for E. villosa. Targeted sites included soybean pedigree seed fields, grain terminals and surrounding fields and research/seed test plots. Later in the season a total of 23 seed samples were collected from four seed mills and submitted to the Seed Laboratory in Saskatoon, Sasketchewan. The visual survey once again detected E. villosa on the original positive site near St-Hyacinthe. Seven plants were found on a five acre plot and another four plants were found in a field just east of the original positive plot. Inspections were also carried out in fields on farms in the vicinity of the positive site where potentially contaminated agricultural machinery may have been used. All farms visited, with the exception of the positive property, were negative for Eriochloa villosa. Eriochloa villosa seeds were found in one sample of Japanese millet seed. Appropriate regulatory actions were taken.

Alfalfa Snout Beetle, Otiorhynchus ligustici

Ontario

The alfalfa snout beetle is widespread in northern Europe, Asia minor, and Russia. Alfalfa is the preferred host but insect can feed on many other plants, including true clovers, sweet clover and a variety of weeds. In Europe, it is also a significant pest of hops. The adults beetle feed on leafs and stems of plants while the larvae feed on the roots. All adults are female and can lay fertile eggs without mating, so a single beetle can start a new infestation.

The first North American finds were from Oswego County in New York State, USA in 1896. In 1967 alfalfa snout beetle was found on Wolfe Island in the St. Lawrence River near Kingston, Ontario. There were no additional finds in Canada until 1986 when it was report by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture from a location in Grenville County just west of the town of Prescott.

In June 2006, Dr. François Meloche, entomologist in the Biodiversity (Entomology) and Integrated Pest Management section at Agriculture and Agrifood Canada in Ottawa, detected alfalfa snout beetle in an alfalfa field on the University of Guelph, Kemptville Campus farm during a scouting expedition. As a result of this find outside the know area of infestation the CFIA and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) undertook a detection survey for adults of Otiorhynchus ligustici in eastern Ontario. The survey focused on alfalfa fields in the counties of Leeds & Grenville, Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry, Prescott-Russell, Renfrew and the city of Ottawa. Positive finds were confirmed in two fields at University of Guelph, Kemptville Campus also in an alfalfa field at the Central Experimental farm at Agriculture Agri-Food Canada in Ottawa. At Kemptville College, the two fields that were confirmed positive for the presence of alfalfa snout beetle where surveyed for the presence of larvae. Both alfalfa snout beetle larvae and root feeding were confirmed on randomly selected alfalfa plants.

All other surveyed sites were negative for the presence of the Otiorhynchus ligustici.

Soybean Cyst Nematode, Heterodera glycines

This nematode was first reported from Japan in 1916. In North America, the first observation was in the United States in 1954 and in Canada, introduction was noted in 1987 in Ontario. The only major economic crop severely affected is soybean; damage is done by the feeding activity of the nematode in the root system which can reduce the field crop up to 20% as shown by studies in Ontario. Over 1100 species of plants are reported as potential hosts for H. glycines.

The nematode is completely sedentary except for a small amount of movement by the juveniles and adults males; the pest is carried by the farm machinery, any equipment contaminated with soil, birds and wind.

For the survey, soil samples are taken back systematic soil collection with a probe and are analysed in laboratory for the presence of cysts which are the structure containing eggs of H. glycines.

Details on the directives related to Heterodera glycines can be found in D-98-01 and D-94-17.

Manitoba

In 2006, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency surveyed a total of 25 fields for Soybean Cyst Nematode in Manitoba. All the blended soil samples from each field were negative for Heterodera glycines.

Location Number of fields surveyed
Winnipeg Office 22
Brandon Office 3
Total 25

Quebec

Annual soil surveys are conducted on soybean fields in the vicinity of potato processing plants that had imported potatoes from H. glycines -infested states in the United States, and at selected seed fields. The survey in Quebec in 2006 was not undertaken as resources were diverted to deal with the unexpected discovery of Globodera rostochiensis south-east of Montreal.

Ontario

A province-wide survey was conducted in 2006 in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAFRA) focusing on non-regulated counties. The CFIA provided laboratory resources in the form of cyst extractions and diagnostic identification and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) contributed field staff to collect the samples. Samples were collected during the late growing season or after harvest, following a zig-zag throughout the field. Each sample consisted of about 1 kg of soil made up of 10-30 cores collected using a soil probe to depth of approximately 6 cm. The number of samples generated per field varied with the field size. In total 347 soil samples were collected and analyzed from across the province. Sample analysis is pending and will be updated shortly.

County Number of Sites Sampled
Brant 10
Bruce 9
Dufferin 20
Durham 15
Grey 10
Haldimand 22
Halton 25
Hamilton Division 25
Hastings 8
Leeds-Grenville 6
Lennox-Addington 2
Niagara 30
Northumberland 14
Ottawa-Carleton 33
Peterborough 17
Prince Edward 7
Simcoe 25
Stormont-Dundas
& Glengarry		 7
Victoria 12
Waterloo 25
Wellington 24
York 1

Potatoes Survey

Potato Wart, Synchytrium endobioticum

The presence of Potato Wart, caused by Synchytrium endobioticum, was first detected in one field of 31.2 ha in Prince Edward Island in October 2000. Subsequently, as part of province wide surveillance activities potato wart was detected in 5 fields totaling 42.2 ha in 2002 and 4 fields totaling 31.6 ha in 2004. Containment and surveillance measures have been, and continue, to be in place to prevent further spread and to determine the extent of the infection. There are currently 10 known infected fields on two separate farms units (105 ha) and additionally 42 primary contact and adjacent fields (712.1 ha) have been placed, and remain, under PW associated restrictions. As a result of the ongoing surveillance and additional soil sampling, restrictions were removed on 14 fields (91.1 ha) and, for as long as the field remains out of host crop production, there is no requirement to clean and disinfect equipment used in the fields. In addition to the fields under notice there are 221 other contact fields and because of ongoing surveillance 111 of these fields are currently classified as having no restrictions with regards to potato use.

As part of the continued efforts to contain and eradicate Potato Wart while maintaining market access, CFIA continues to implement a risk based long-term management plan. In fiscal year 2006/2007 a total of 263 fields, 1553.637 ha, were post harvest inspected for the presence of potato wart symptoms. In addition, 601 soil samples were gathered and analyzed from potato wart associated fields. All of the inspections and the soil analyses conducted were negative for the presence of Synchytrium endobioticum in 2006.

More information on this topic can be found on the CFIA Potato Wart site.

Table 1.1. Summary of Potato Wart post harvest inspections carried out on Prince Edward Island in 2006

Non-Seed Seed Total
Fields Hectares Fields Hectares Fields Hectares
73 867.993 190 685.644 263 1553.637

Golden Nematode, Globodera rostochiensis

On August 15, 2006 The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed the detection of the potato pest, Globodera rostochiensis, in a 30-acre field on a farm approximately 20 kilometres east of Montreal, Quebec.

For information on this pest visit the CFIA Golden Nematode site.


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