A reproductive population of the Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), an adventive insect from Asia, was discovered in 2003 in an urban landscape in Ontario, Canada. This polyphagous beetle, which attacks maples, Acer spp. (Sapindaceae), had the potential to seriously and permanently alter the composition and structure of forests in eastern North America. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) developed and implemented an eradication programme, with partners from various agencies in both Canada and the United States of America. Surveys were used to delineate the infestation and establish a regulated area around it. Treatment consisted of removing and destroying both trees with signs of A. glabripennis injury and trees assumed at high risk of being injured within the regulated area. After nine years of monitoring the regulated area, the CFIA declared A. glabripennis eradicated on 5 April 2013. Herein, we detail the response undertaken, summarise lessons learned, and provide preliminary observations and results pertaining to the arrival, establishment, and spread of A. glabripennis in Ontario.

The invasive pea leaf weevil, Sitona lineatus (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), damages field peas, Pisum sativum Linnaeus (Fabaceae), and faba beans, Vicia faba Linnaeus (Fabaceae), on the Canadian prairies. We used semiochemical-baited pitfall traps to monitor and detect S. lineatus range expansion and capture associated predaceous ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in pulse-growing regions across Alberta. Traps captured male and female S. lineatus in all pulse-growing regions in the spring and fall, including a first record of S. lineatus in the Peace River region of northwestern Alberta. Pheromone-baited traps captured more weevils than unbaited traps did, and the addition of host plant volatiles did not increase the catch. More weevils were captured in traps in pea fields compared to in faba bean fields. Rubber septa lures released more pheromones and attracted a similar number or more weevils to traps than microcentrifuge tube lures did. Ground beetle capture was not affected by semiochemical baits targeting S. lineatus. Ground beetle diversity varied by region and collection period, but the most frequently collected species was Pterostichus melanarius, a potential predator of S. lineatus. This study shows that pitfall traps baited with rubber septa pheromone lures can be used to monitor new and expanding S. lineatus populations, as well as potential natural enemy communities.

Wheat stem sawfly, Cephus cinctus Norton (Hymenoptera: Cephidae), indigenous to North America, quickly adapted from host native grasses to wheat crops (Triticum Linnaeus (Poaceae)) with expansion of agriculture on the Great Plains of North America. Bioclimatic simulation tools, such as Climex, predict the potential geographic distribution and establishment of insects in ecosystems, based on climate. The ecoclimatic index, a measure of ecological suitability, integrates potential population growth with stresses to produce estimates of relative abundance. This simulation software was used to develop a bioclimate model for C. cinctus in western Canada. Results fostered a better understanding of how C. cinctus responded to selected climate variables. Two general circulation models were then applied to assess the response of C. cinctus populations to future climate. Relative to current climate, predicted changes in C. cinctus distribution and relative abundance were greatest for 2030, with a small further increase for 2070. Across the Prairies and Boreal Plains Ecozones, changes in ecoclimatic index were greater than in geographic distribution. Both general circulation models indicated most of this area would be categorised as very favourable. This suggests that the potential for pest populations could expand into areas that do not currently experience economic losses associated with C. cinctus.

Climate change and other anthropogenic stressors are reshaping Earth’s biodiversity, motivating efforts to monitor changing faunal diversity. Canada is home to 80 documented species of mosquitoes, 38 of which are reported in New Brunswick. Using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention miniature CO2 light traps, three adult mosquito collection surveys were performed to encompass 43 trapping sites across New Brunswick, Canada. Study one took place from 21 July 2022 to 9 September 2022, study two took place from 29 May 2023 to 24 October 2023, and study three took place from 15 May 2024 to 19 September 2024. Among the specimens collected, a total of 18 Uranotaenia sapphirina (Osten Sacken) (Diptera: Culicidae) were identified from five separate trapping sites. This species, previously documented only in Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba, is considered rare in Canada and is known for its specialisation in feeding on annelids rather than vertebrates. Our detection of Ur. sapphirina in New Brunswick, where it has been absent in earlier surveys, suggests a recent range expansion, possibly driven by climate change. This observation highlights the need for ongoing surveillance to monitor the impacts of environmental changes on mosquito distribution.

The European root-boring moth, Chamaesphecia empiformis (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), was released in Ontario, Canada, in 1971 and 1989 as a biological control agent for the perennial invasive weed cypress spurge, Euphorbia cyparissias Linnaeus (Euphorbiaceae). Until recently, the moth was believed to have failed to establish. Beginning in 2015, images posted on citizen science platforms, including BugGuide, iNaturalist, and Facebook groups, indicated that C. empiformis was in fact established. We have confirmed its presence in eastern Ontario by morphological and molecular identification of field-collected adults and eggs. This may be the longest-known lapse between the release of a weed biological control agent and confirmation of its establishment. Citizen science may provide valuable records documenting the establishment and dispersal of biological control agents.

The distribution and diversity of fauna of remote regions, including much of the boreal forest, are incompletely known. We took part in extensive biodiversity surveys in the Far North of Ontario (north of 51° N), Canada from 2009 to 2015. In the family Carabidae Latreille (Coleoptera), we report new records and range extensions for 600 specimens representing 99 species. We documented the first record for Canada of one species, the first records for Ontario of 11 species, and range extensions (> 100 km from the known range) for 70 species. The range extensions were largely in a northwards direction, with a median distance of 650 km and a positive skew in the distribution of these distances. These new records fill an important gap in knowledge of the distribution of this family.

Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)) in eastern North America migrate each year from overwintering areas in Mexico to cover a large breeding distribution across the United States of America and southern Canada. In 2012, monarch butterflies migrated well beyond their usual range, resulting in an extended breeding distribution compared to typical years. We used stable isotope (δ2H, δ13C) measurements in wing chitin to determine the area of natal origin of these butterflies. Most monarch butterflies collected in May, June, and July from Manitoba and Alberta, Canada had natal origins in the North American Midwest. Monarch butterflies collected in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada in August and September had local natal origins indicating successful recruitment of offspring from colonising individuals. However, it is unknown whether these offspring migrated successfully to overwintering areas. Our work highlights the ability of monarch butterflies to colonise distant breeding areas and demonstrates how stable isotopes can be used to understand the dynamics of range-edge populations.

The range of the face fly, Musca autumnalis De Geer, has extended from the site of its first North American occurrence in Nova Scotia in 1952 to the northern half of the United States from coast to coast and every province in Canada. The first recorded appearance in Western Canada was at Virden, Man., in 1964 and it has since become established in eastern Saskatchewan. Face flies moved from Washington and Idaho into British Columbia in 1966. In 1967 they spread to most areas of the southern half of British Columbia and into southwestern Alberta through the Crowsnest Pass. Moisture and shade in pastures influenced the numbers of face flies seen on cattle and resulted in higher numbers than under dry prairie conditions.

We investigated the potential for human-mediated range expansion of an exotic beech leaf-mining weevil, Orchestes fagi (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Curculioninae: Rhamphini) (formerly known as Rhynchaenus fagi) on timber or firewood, which for eight to nine months of the year may harbour adults in diapause. In both relatively low-density and high-density populations, adults were found on the base, middle, and upper boles of the primary host, American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrhart; Fagaceae), as well as red maple (Acer rubrum Linnaeus; Sapindaceae) and red spruce (Picea rubens Sargent; Pinaceae) in the vicinity. Comparatively few individuals were found on tree branches, or in the moss, duff, or soil collected beneath beech trees. Overwintering adults appeared to favour parts of trees with relatively high bark roughness. Our study suggests that, between the months of July through May, any woody stems near areas having O. fagi outbreaks are likely to harbour adults. Moreover, as all of the trees studied are common sources of timber or firewood, the harvest and transport of wood from these areas may facilitate outbreak spread; this may explain the multiple, distantly distributed populations of O. fagi that have been reported in eastern Nova Scotia, Canada in recent years.

Symbiotic relationships between insects and fungi are known to cause tree mortality either through direct damage by larval feeding that can be facilitated by symbiotic fungi, or through insects vectoring pathogens directly to healthy trees. Within their native ranges, the impacts of many insect-fungus symbioses are restricted to weakened and declining trees; however, within the last century tree mortality caused by globally invasive insect–fungus associations has had a devastating impact on trees in both urban and natural forest ecosystems. Unfortunately, Canadian forests have been seriously affected by invasive organisms and an emerging threat is the expansion of a native bark beetle into the boreal forest of Alberta. This paper reviews the symbiotic relationships between selected invasive insects and pathogens that cause tree mortality within the urban and forested landscapes of Canada; it uses these case studies to illustrate potentially damaging new evolutionary trajectories.

In accordance with the predictions made at the time of its first appearance in the immediate Mississippi Valley, the Colorado potato beetle continues to extend its area of distribution. It has during the last and present seasons reached the Atlantic Coast of the Middle States, and is preparing an invasion in mass of the maritime parts of New England, which will soon be overrun with the same ease with which it has conquered the Western and Middle States. Meanwhile the farmers are anxiously inquiring for means of destroying the invader.

Insects are usually considered to be excluded from the marine environment. A small number of species, however, are considered to be marine, due to spending some portion of their life cycle in salt water. We use natural history collection specimens, in-field observations, and molecular analysis to generate new locale records and natural history data for seven insect species. All seven species are associated with barnacles (Balanomorpha: Balanidae, Chthamalidae) along the Pacific coast of Canada, the United States of America, or Japan. Use of DNA barcode analysis confirms the monophyly of three species of Oedoparena (Diptera: Dryomyzidae). Natural history collection specimens expand the geographical range and illuminate the phenology of Oedoparena spp. In-field observations record direct associations between three species of Thalassosmittia (Diptera: Chironomidae), Diaulota densissima (Casey) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), and intertidal barnacles from various locations in British Columbia, Canada. Barnacle host associations and microhabitat preferences are proposed for all species. A new definition of what constitutes a marine insect is offered.

This is an analysis of the attempts to colonize at least 208 species of parasites and predators on about 75 species of pest insects in the field in Canada. There was colonization by about 10% of the species that were introduced in totals of under 5,000 individuals, 40% of those introduced in totals of between 5,000 and 31,200, and 78% of those introduced in totals of over 31,200. Indications exist that initial colonizations may be favoured by large releases and by selection of release sites that are semi-isolated and not ecologically complex but that colonizations are hindered when the target species differs taxonomically from the species from which introduced agents originated and when the release site lacks factors needed for introduced agents to survive or when it is subject to potentially-avoidable physical disruptions. There was no evidence that the probability of colonization was increased when the numbers of individuals released were increased by laboratory propagation. About 10% of the attempts were successful from the economic viewpoint. Successes may be overestimated if the influence of causes of coincidental, actual, or supposed changes in pest abundance are overlooked. Most of the successes were by two or more kinds of agents of which at least one attacked species additional to the target pests. Unplanned consequences of colonization have not been sufficiently harmful to warrant precautions to the extent advocated by Turnbull and Chant but are sufficiently potentially dangerous to warrant the restriction of all colonization attempts to biological control experts. It is concluded that most failures were caused by inadequate procedures, rather than by any weaknesses inherent in the method, that those inadequacies can be avoided in the future, and therefore that biological control of pest insects has much unrealized potential for use in Canada.

Comparisons of past and current butterfly species distributions are being used to gauge the effects of climatic change in various parts of the world. Historic butterfly records from Herschel Island, Yukon, Canada, presented an opportunity to do such a comparison in an Arctic tundra region known to have a diverse butterfly fauna. We compared historic species records (1916–1983) with newly collected ones (2007–2009) to assess possible changes in species distributions. Of the 21 species documented for Herschel Island, six were newly found and two were not reconfirmed. We postulate that warmer temperatures facilitated the apparent northerly range expansions of several species by making butterfly flight and dispersal possible. This is supported by interannual comparisons on a smaller time scale, 2007–2009. During this period, we observed accelerated butterfly phenology and higher relative abundance of butterflies associated with earlier snowmelt and with earlier and more intense early summer heating.

The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is a destructive invasive pest that threatens North American ash (Fraxinus (Oleaceae)) and inflicts substantial aesthetic, ecological, and economic damage in urban forests and rural woodlands. Understanding adult EAB dispersal and spread of infestations is critical to effectively manage and mitigate its potential impact in North America and elsewhere. Challenges of quantifying short-distance and long-distance movement of adult EAB in the field remain exceptionally difficult. Here we review our current understanding of EAB spread. Research to date suggests natural spread of EAB populations is variable and influenced by local environmental conditions, but limited to only a few km per year. In contrast, long-distance spread resulting from anthropogenic movement of infested ash material, such as nursery trees or firewood, can greatly increase local and regional rate of spread through the formation of satellite populations. Key areas in need of future research are highlighted.

We document a novel exotic bee for North America, Hylaeus (Hylaeus) communis Nylander, 1852 (Hymenoptera: Colletidae), and determine whether it is likely to spread widely across the continent. To evaluate the extent to which H. communis behaves as a generalist and would be able to adapt to novel North American environments, we compare the breadth of its climatic, floral, habitat, and nesting preferences between its native European range and sites where it was first discovered in southern Québec, Canada. Specifically, we calculate the paired difference index, which approximates species generalism, from a set of bipartite networks linking Hylaeus Fabricius, 1793 species to their respective floral hosts and habitats. Results indicate that H. communis is the most adaptable bee of the European Hylaeus fauna and will likely acclimate to its new environment, being a greater generalist than an already widely established exotic bee, H. hyalinatus Smith, 1842. In southern Québec, we find that, despite visiting a wide variety of flowering species, it exhibits a strong association with non-native plants and resides almost exclusively in urban settings. We hypothesise that H. communis will be able to spread widely throughout North America via multiple human-mediated but accidental dispersal events and by following the distribution of European weeds and horticultural plants.

The lily leaf beetle, Lilioceris lilii (Scopoli) (Fig. 1), was first noticed in Portage la Prairie (49°58′N, 98°20′W), about 90 km west of Winnipeg, in June and July 1999. The beetles were present on Asiatic lily varieties only, especially tiger lilies (Lilium tigrinum Ker-Gawl (Liliaceae)). Larvae and adults were observed at two locations in the northeastern section of the town. The plants that were attacked were completely defoliated.

Pitfall trapping revealed that the European fire ant, Myrmica rubra (Linnaeus) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), represents an unusual example of a temperate invasive ant species. In British Columbia, Canada, M. rubra populations are associated with a decreased incidence and abundance of other ant species in three different plant communities when compared with M. rubra-free control areas. M. rubra represented more than 99.99% of the total ant fauna caught in the infested areas, and the numbers of M. rubra captured in the plant communities ranged from over 10 times to over 1300 times the total number of all ants collected in corresponding M. rubra-free areas. Total numbers of some taxa of insects and non-insect arthropods, including those likely to be competitors or prey of M. rubra, were reduced where the invasive species was present. Biodiversity indexes for the overall suite of captured arthropod species were lower where M. rubra was present in all three plant communities but most of this decrease can be attributed to the difference in the ant fauna.

Overwintering eggs of Porthetria dispar increase their capacity to supercool during exposure to non-lethal conditioning temperatures. Measurements of supercooling points of eggs collected in Quebec and Massachusetts indicate that the gradual movement of the insect north and west from the initial point of introduction into North America has not been accompanied by natural selection for a more cold-hardy population. The protection afforded eggs by cold-hardening is, however, greatly enhanced by the placement of egg masses, typically at or near ground level, where they are subject to maximum insulation by snow cover.

Examination of climatic regimes within the current area of distribution of the gypsy moth in Eurasia indicates that temperature may not be a key factor limiting its northward spread. In central Canada, in the presence of abundant snow cover, the insect may spread as far north as suitable food plants exist. This would favour extension of the range of the gypsy moth throughout the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Forest Region and much of the Boreal Forest Region of Ontario and Quebec south of James Bay.