Destructive bugs

The Emerald Ash Borer insect really bugs Emmarie Leeson.

The 16-year-old Superior Collegiate and Vocational Institute student knew about the destructive nature of the tiny beetle, but she wanted to learn more. That’s why she participated for the first time at the Ontario Stewardship Ranger program run by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The insects form galleries under the bark of ash trees, eating the living material and eventually killing the trees. The MNR instructors showed detection techniques to the participants so they could spot a tree that could be infested.

She said it was a good opportunity to learn more about how to spot the invasive bug as well as spend more time outdoors.

“I would like to go into something outside where I’m working with animals or with nature,” Emmarie said.

“I really like helping out the ecosystems throughout the area and I find it interesting to learn different things in nature. I think it’s important that we think of ways to stop what the beetle does and the effects because it can cause damage.”

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To date there have been no reported cases of the Emerald Ash Borer located in the Thunder Bay area, but they aren’t far away. Reports have come as close as St. Paul, Minn., and Sault Ste. Marie.

The city has taken steps to ensure the beetle doesn’t make its way here by placing traps in forested areas around the city, including locations such as the John Street landfill and Centennial Park.

City forester Shelley Vescio said a single tree could not show any signs of having an infestation so it’s important to teach everyone sampling and detection techniques in order to prevent the beetle from spreading.

She said the primary mode of transportation for the bug is through firewood.

“We haven’t found it yet but what we’re hoping is that with more people trained we can hopefully discover it,” Vescio said.

“We want to find it while it is early. We don’t think it’s here yet but it has yet to be discovered or detected. If you find it early, you can control it and hopefully destroy it. If you find it when it’s well distributed you aren’t going to control it.”

She added the public can help by reporting any sightings of the Emerald Ash Borer.