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Home > What's New > Brown spruce longhorn beetle update in Canada

Update on the Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle (BSLB), Tetropium fuscum (Fabricius), in Nova Scotia, Canada

From North American Plant Protection Organization's (NAPPO) Phytosanitary Alert System

NOVA SCOTIA , August 16, 2007-  Picture of Tetropium fuscum (c/o: tncweeds.ucdavis.edu)

The Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle (BSLB), an insect native to Europe and Asia, was first confirmed in Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1999 (see previous NAPPO PAS posting, archived, June 14, 2000). This finding of BSLB in Nova Scotia is the only known occurrence of this beetle in North America.

Since first being detected in Canada in 1999, BSLB delimitation and detection surveys have been conducted. In 2006, eighteen BSLB positives were found outside the then regulated area (Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle Infested Places Order - First Revision). After the 2006 survey season, the CFIA expanded the regulated area to include the new finds (Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle Infested Places Order - Second Revision).

With the aid of a new pheromone lure, combined with the host volatile, spruce-blend lure, the 2007 survey season has now detected positive finds in 4 new counties, including Hants, Colchester, Cumberland and Antigonish. To date, the CFIA has found BSLB in 17 new locations outside of the current regulated area. The CFIA intends to post the final BSLB survey result this fall when the 2007 survey season is completed.

During the interim period, regulatory controls are being placed upon those areas found positive for BSLB.

Under IPPC Standards (e.g., ISPM No. 8), the BSLB is considered present (only in some parts of Nova Scotia) and subject to official control in Canada.

For more information on the BSLB in Nova Scotia, please see the Canadian Food Inspection website at www.inspection.gc.ca

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Contact: Gregg Cunningham, Program Network Specialist // Specialiste du reseau des programmes, Forestry // Sciences forestieres, Canadian Food Inspection Agency // Agence canadienne dinspection des aliments, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia / Nouvelle-Ecosse, Canada (cunninghamg@inspection.gc.ca).