Discovery of Sirex noctilio (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) in Ontario, Canada

Abstract

A sirex woodwasp, commonly called "sirex woodwasp" or the "European woodwasp" Sirex noctilio (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Siricidae), is a high-risk alien invasive forest insect for North America. In September 2004, this insect was trapped in the field in New York, identified in February 2005 and confirmed as established in July 2005 - the first record of such for North America. The close proximity of the original and subsequent discoveries of S. noctilio in New York prompted a rapid response survey for this insect in adjacent areas in Ontario, Canada. This report records the first discoveries of this wood wasp in Canada in 2005.