Canadian Food Inspection Agency has found this pest's presence around Pearson airport in September. The beetle attacks hardwood species, especially maple, but also enjoys elm, birch, poplar, and mountain ash among others.
Larvae burrow into the trees and leave dime-size holes when they emerge as adults about 3 centimeters long. The larvae feed on the green inner bark and the exit holes leave the tree weakened and unhealthy. Death occurs in a few years.
The beetle flies only short distances and the transport of cut wood is the main mechanism of transport.
The department of Agriculture declared this pest eradicated in late 2007 after 30,000 trees were removed in the Vaughan-Toronto border. But the present infestation seems to be new and not related to the past problems.
(information from the Toronto Star, Oct. 3, 2013)
So, don't transport cut firewood from any area to your cottage! There is lots of local wood.
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