Beaconsfield to participate in a pilot project to fight the spread of the emerald ash borer

BEACONSFIELD, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - June 13, 2017) - In the coming days, the City of Beaconsfield will launch a pilot project to test a new ecological method for fighting the emerald ash borer infestation. The project includes a focus on and validation of techniques to diffuse a fungus that is an entomopathogen for the emerald ash borer and kills the insect within a few days.

This Lindgren funnel trap was developed by researchers from the INRS, GDG Environnement and Natural Resources Canada and is comprised of several sliding funnels to lead the emerald ash borers into a special chamber containing spores of a fungus that is a pathogen for the insect. Once the borer is infected, it spreads the fungus spores to other borers during mating. This fungus grows rapidly within the emerald ash borer's body, killing it within the first five days after contamination. 

The pilot project entails the installation of 15 traps in the Angell Woods public area owned by the City of Montreal and the City of Beaconsfield. They will only be installed in ash trees at the top of the canopy, and will contain two substances to specifically attract adult male and female emerald ash borers during their active flying phase. The particular isolate of the Beauveria bassiana fungus used by the researchers from the Canadian Forest Services of Natural Resources Canada contains enzymes that are specifically pathogenic to the emerald ash borer.

"This method of ecological control works with the Stratégie métropolitaine de lutte contre l'agrile du frêne and is among a variety of currently-recommended strategies. Our participation in this pilot project demonstrates our City's commitment and enthusiasm in the fight against the emerald ash borer. It also shows our willingness to improve the urban forest's resilience," said Beaconsfield Mayor Georges Bourelle.

North America's ecosystem has few threats to the emerald ash borer, giving it the opportunity to spread effectively and quickly. This new technology could add a major obstacle to the insect's ability to multiply, and combined with other treatment and management tools, could help slow its progression.