Introduced species

Sometimes, either accidentally or deliberately, new species are introduced into areas where they do not occur naturally. Some of these introductions are disastrous for the environment.

The European gypsy moth was accidentally introduced to eastern North America in 1868. It has now established itself in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, as well as the west coast of Canada. Regarded as a major pest, it lives on, and severely damages or kills, over 500 different plant species.

Infested areas can be identified by egg masses on trunks or branches. When the larvae hatch, they feed voraciously. In a severe outbreak, all trees and shrubs in the infested area can be totally stripped of foliage. This generally results in growth reduction in hardwoods, and death within the first year for conifers such as pines.

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