Insect that kills hemlock trees found in Fort Erie

Residents, landowners and cottage owners in the township of Fort Erie are advised not to move hemlock materials or any kind of firewood to prevent the further spread of the hemlock woolly adelgid. (HWA)

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) on Tuesday confirmed the presence of hemlock woolly adelgid in Fort Erie, Ont.

Hemlock woolly adelgid — an insect that measures less than one millimetre as an adult —  kills trees by attaching itself to the base of hemlock needles and feeding on sugars, starving the tree of nutrients. While feeding, they produce a woolly-looking substance visible on the underside of the needles.

CFIA said the detection of the tiny bugs in Fort Erie is outside of currently regulated areas for hemlock woolly adelgid in Ontario, which include the city of Niagara Falls and the township of Wainfleet.

The agency said a ministerial order will be established to restrict the movement of all hemlock material such as nursery stock, roots, bulbs, seeds and other plant parts along with logs, branches and wood chips, and all species of firewood.

Insect poses no threat to human health

Although the hemlock woolly adelgid poses no threat to human health, it is highly destructive to hemlock trees, CFIA said.

CFIA said it continues to work with federal, provincial, municipal partners and stakeholders to slow the spread of this pest.

Quick facts

• Moving untreated firewood is a common way for invasive insects and diseases to spread.

• Once established, HWA will spread naturally via wind, birds, animals, and human movement of nursery stock, logs, and other wood products, including firewood. To help prevent the spread of this pest, the public is asked not to move firewood and hemlock products.

• CFIA regulates this pest to protect Canada's forests, municipal trees and nurseries.