A “highly destructive” tree-killing bug has been found in British Columbia for the first time.
The emerald ash borer, also known as “Agrilus planipennis,” attacks and kills ash trees.
It is a federally regulated “pest” in Canada, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
The agency said in a public bulletin that the insect is found in six provinces but is spreading to news areas “via the movement of firewood and ash material.”
It has now been detected in the City of Vancouver, CFIA said, which is outside of its previously known range.
CFIA has put movement restrictions in place to, in its words, “protect Canada’s landscape and economy” by preventing the spread of the insect.
Effective April 2024, the movement of all ash material such as logs, branches, and woodchips, and all species of firewood from the affected sites, is restricted,” the agency explained.
“The property owners in the affected area have been notified of these restrictions.”
CFIA said it will be working with the BC Government, City of Vancouver and “other stakeholders” to find out how far the pest has spread and what can be done to slow its spread.
It added that the creature poses no threat to humans.
The agency also said the insect is not known to attack softwood species such as pine and spruce.
The bug, which is native to China and East Asia, was first confirmed in Canada in 2002.
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