WANTED:(Invasive) Sirex Woodwasp
Sirex Noctilio/Hymenoptera Siricidae (Saw fly)
Identifying Characteristics
- Female: Reddish brown legs, steel blue body, spike projection on the abdomen, four clear yellow wings, cylindrical body 9 to 36mm in length.
- Male: Thick black hind legs, black body with orange/yellow abdomen, four clear yellow wings, cylindrical body 9-36mm in length.
Last Seen
- Originated from Eurasia.
- Intorduced to Canada from Eurasia in wood packing material.
- Found in Brazil, Asia, North Africa, Europe, the U.S.A and Canada.
- Now known in Michigan and Pennsylvania.
First Offence
- The species was introduced to Ontario, CA in 2005
Known Accomplices
- Eurasia wood packing shippments containing eggs/ larvae brought into Ontario in 2005.
- Able to spread because of the wood not being treated properly to get rid of them.
Crimes Commited
- Killing pine trees with birthing toxins and fungus.
- Mostly scotch, red pine and white pine.
- Fungus feeds on the tree cells that the toxic kills.
- Also known to attack all other softwood.
Larvae Infested Tree
What most of the mid section of the tree looks like as that is where the female lays her eggs usually.
Tree After Attack
Pine tree after the eggs were layed and larvae escaped.
Eggs/Larvae Tail Inside a Tree
Females can lay 25-450 eggs.
Attempts at Capture
- Parasitic Hematode called Deladenus Siricidicola.
- Parasitic Hematode infests the host tree.
- They will not be able to lay eggs.
- The next generation will be infertile.
- The Parasitic Hematode spreads throughout both male and female.
Reward
- They are killing trees, which are our oxygen source.
- Becuase the trees are infected, toxic and covered in fungus, lumber is not an option.
- Lumber is one of Canadas best trades and with the woodwasps killing and infecting our trees, we will not be able to export as much; Causing our economy to decrease.
If you happen to find a tree or an infested forest, a $600 reward will be given.
Contact Us
If Sirex Noctilio is found, keep in a container in a freezer. Please contact us using this information...
Phone: (866) 640.0652
Citations
- New York State Department of environmental Conservation. (N.D.). Sirex Woodwasp. Retrieved May 17, 2016, from http://www.dec.hy.gov/animals/7248.html.
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency. (2012). Sirex Noctilio (Sirex Woodwasp) Fact Sheet. Retrieved May 18, 2016, from http://www.inspection.gc.ca/plant-pest/invasive-species/insects/sirex-wasp/fact-sheet/eng/132790769701/1327690933257.