The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) has partnered with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) to monitor insects known to host the fungal pathogen Oak Wilt. Three insect traps have been set up in St. Clair Township to attract Nitidulid beetles (or Picnic Beetles) known to carry the Oak Wilt fungus. Oak Wilt is a disease that has impacted trees throughout the United States and concerns are growing about the possibility of its entry into Canada.
“Trapping will occur for 8 weeks from May until June”, explained Tim Payne, Manager of Forests at the SCRCA. “The traps are laced with bait and pheromones that attract the beetles. MNRF staff will collect the insects and test them for the Oak Wilt fungus.”
“Monitoring for Oak Wilt is important if we are going to be able to defend against its spread into Ontario,” said Payne. “The better educated we are, the better equipped we are in dealing with its invasion, if one were to occur.”
As its name would suggest, the Oak Wilt Fungus targets primarily oak trees. Healthy trees become infected when open wounds are exposed to the fungus via the Nitidulid beetle. It can also be transferred from one oak to another through the root system of the trees, if they have graphed together. The fungus causes the cycling of water and nutrients to become restricted leading to the eventual death of the tree.
About St. Clair Region Conservation Authority
The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority is located in southwestern Ontario and includes the Sydenham River watershed and smaller watersheds draining directly into southern Lake Huron, the St. Clair River and northeastern Lake St. Clair. The Conservation Authority implements programs to reduce the risk to life and property from flooding and erosion and promote water and land stewardship, forestry, wildlife habitat creation, conservation education, and outdoor recreation. For more information, visit our website at www.scrca.on.ca.
