Volume 3 Issue 4 Winter 2010 Unwanted Invaders

Inside this issue: Invasive Species Council of c/o 5006 Roblin Blvd. , MB R3R 0G7 Protecting Manitoba from 1 Emerald Ash Borer Ph: (204) 232-6021 Fax: (204) 986-7236 Email: [email protected] Do Not Move Firewood 1 Protecting Manitoba’s Trees from Emerald Ash Borer Risk Analysis for Manitoba & 2 By Kyla Maslaniec, Forest Health Extension AGM Summary gives the province the ability to respond to detec- Technician, Manitoba Conservation tions of new invasive forest pests. Forest prod- ISCM Past Events 2 A tiny green invader from Asia is attacking ucts can be seized, trees removed or destroyed, ash trees in North America. Emerald ash areas quarantined, and “Forest Threat Response Weed Management Plans 3 borer is a beautiful iridescent green insect that Zones” established, where restrictions can be kills ash trees. It was first detected in North made on the movement and treatment of certain Manitoba Bio-Net 3 America in 2002, in Michigan and Ontario. tree species and forest products. Since then, it has been found in Quebec and Public education is one of the most important Tale of a Wandering Spider 4 12 more states in the U.S. ways to prevent the spread of invasive forest Upcoming Events 5 Millions of ash trees have been lost in Michi- pests. Manitoba, along with the federal govern- gan alone, and that state is at risk of losing all ment, is actively promoting a “Do Not Move Fire- NAWMA Conference 2011 5 of their ash trees. Manitoba would face a simi- wood” campaign, as firewood is known to be a lar threat if EAB was to become established pathway for the spread of EAB and other invasive Funding Sources & Partners 6 here. Ash trees are a major component of pests. The province will also be attending several river bottom forests and have been planted trade shows and public events to raise aware- FACT SHEET 7 extensively in our communities and rural ness about the threat of invasive pests. shelterbelts as a replacement for elms lost to Orange-coloured firewood collection bins have Dutch elm disease. been set up at the major points of entry into the Extra copies of the To prevent such devastating losses, the prov- province on the eastern and western borders. ince has introduced new legislation and pro- Signs have been erected at these locations as 2010 Prairie Inva- grams to stop the spread of invasive forest well, warning the public about moving firewood. pests into Manitoba. The Forest Health Pro- These bins are checked regularly, and any wood sive Species calen- tection Act (FHPA), was proclaimed in May of collected is inspected for the presence of invasive 2009, and will help the province to prevent pests. dar now available! accidental introductions of invasive pests like An ash inventory was completed in 2009, to de- the emerald ash borer. termine the potential impacts of EAB in this prov- Contact the ISCM for Under the Act, the movement of ash material ince. The province will also be monitoring for EAB is prohibited from federal EAB regulated ar- in 2010 by establishing trap trees in certain com- your free copy today! eas of Ontario and Quebec. The Act also munities and inspecting high risk areas.

Call (204) 232-6021 or We can protect Mani- toba’s forests from info@invasivespecies harmful invasive forest manitoba.com pests, but it will take a coordinated effort be- tween governments, municipalities, non- government agencies and the public.

To learn more, please visit: http:// www.gov.mb.ca/ conservation/ forestry/index.html

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will be used to determine priorities for the Risk Analysis for ISCM Early Detection and Rapid Re- sponse (EDRR) program. The priority Manitoba: ISCM’s species will be listed in an ISCM ’watch list’. This workshop was funded through 2nd Annual AGM the federal Invasive Alien Species Part- nership Program. & Workshop After lunch, a keynote presentation was Article & Photos By: Sandi Faber Routley, given by Patricia Rawlek and Greg ISCM Invasive Species Technician Hensel of the North American Weed Management Association (NAWMA). The Stakeholder’s Workshop was They outlined the organization and its kicked off with a welcome and introduc- mandate in North America, and gave an tion by ISCM Coordinator Cheryl Hem- update on the 2009 NAWMA conference ing. This was followed by the workshop recently held in Kearney, Nebraska. It ‘Risk Analysis for Manitoba’, facilitated was a very informative presentation, and by Cory Lindgren of Canadian Food judging by the amount of questions after- Inspection Agency and Doug Cattani of ward, it greatly peaked the interest of the Manitoba Agriculture and Rural Food stakeholders present. The AGM Initiatives. wrapped up Friday afternoon with the ISCM’s annual business meeting.

Attendees of the Stakeholder ‘s Workshop.

Topics discussed included an Introduction to Risk Analysis and the Federal Approach, Provincial considerations and Use, Intro- duction to the Canadian Weed Risk As- sessment, and Weed Risk Assessment Demonstration. Risk Analysis Workshop with Cory Lindgren. ISCM’s Display at the AGM & Workshop This model for Risk Analysis in Manitoba

ISCM Past Events Dr. Westbrooks was very well received by lenges they are facing. For example, a By Kristin Pingatore, ISCM Mapping all in attendance, including a number of lawyer in the department addressed Technician new faces in the group, undergraduate questions pertaining to state laws and students from the University of Manitoba’s regulations that the weed board mem- Volunteer Monitoring session, Department of Environment and Geogra- bers had submitted before the event. Wednesday December 2, 2009 in Win- phy. ISCM is planning on going forward nipeg. with the first steps of establishing a volun- One of the hot topics of the day was the teer network, at the discretion of the Early spread of Emerald Ash Borer – which Dr. Randy Westbrooks spoke on the Detection and Rapid Response Commit- despite not being a weed, is a very seri- topic of creating a volunteer network to tee, including applying for grants to cover ous threat to the state now that the spe- aid in early detection, rapid response and staff salaries and logistics for the project. cies has been located in Minnesota. The monitoring of invasive species in Mani- Department of Agriculture used a ses- toba. He pointed out that there are many North Dakota Agriculture Commis- sion during the forum to promote aware- organizations already in place and with sioner's Weed Forum, January 12, 2010 ness among the weed supervisors, so basic training in invasive species ID, they in Mandan, North Dakota. that any warning signs they see while out could aid scientists in identifying new working don’t go unchecked. By the end invaders. Other organizations could pro- Staff from ISCM attended a weed forum of the day, ISCM had established a num- vide volunteers for events such as weed put on by the North Dakota Department of ber of contacts and even joined in their pulling. Building bridges to connect Agriculture directed at the State’s weed membership in order to keep abreast of these organizations to the Invasive Spe- supervisors. The event provided great news coming from North Dakota, which cies Council of Manitoba should be the insight into the methods of our neighbours could affect Manitoba. first step in establishing such a network. to the south, as well as a look at what chal- Page 3 Unwanted Invaders

include a description of the region – geo- infestation. A baseline survey of weeds ISCM Weed Man- graphically and in terms of land use & in the district’s landscape is key to figur- economy. This information aids in deter- ing this out. What may also be impor- agement Plans mining what species are best focused on tant is the details surrounding the infes- and whether they need to be controlled or tation, such as how the species arrived, By: Kristin Pingatore, ISCM Mapping eradicated. and any special considerations that a Technician site requires (e.g. Cattle can’t be moved Weed Districts and Municipalities need to another pasture, which affects what a strategic plan of approach to identify- control agents can be used on the site). ing and combating weeds in their re- gions. Thanks to funding support from Finally, the plan should also incorporate the provincial Agricultural Sustainabil- provisions and documents regarding ity Initiative, ISCM has a Weed Man- health & safety, best management prac- agement Plan (WMP) Template to help tices or protocols, administration, con- get the ball rolling. tacts, and maps of the region.

The WMP Template is a constantly What is included in a weed manage- evolving project that seeks to give our ment plan? Weed Supervisors collecting GPS data during partners the best outline possible for an ISCM Workshop. Photo by ISCM. It begins with developing and stating the creating their weed management plans. District or Municipality’s weed manage- Once the goals and objectives figured In April 2010, the template will be avail- ment policy, which then form the basis out, list the resources available for use. able for download at: of their goals and objectives for the This includes monies, staff, equipment, www.invasivespeciesmanitoba.com. For plan. Includes a review process, which and access to control agents. Before a further information about weed man- requires that the plan be reviewed and plan of attack on weeds can take place, it agement plans, please contact the changed on a regular basis as condi- is important to know what species are ISCM (204)232-6021 or tions change. It is also important to present, where they are and the size of [email protected].

Manitoba Biodiversity Network

By Sandi Faber Routley, ISCM Invasive cal Diversity exceeds 100 million spe- Species Technician cies, including many yet to be discov- Various agencies and individuals held ered. The number of micro- and macro- an informal meeting, September 2009, flora and fauna in Manitoba may be over in Winnipeg to discuss the formation of half a million species. The common a local network to celebrate the 2010 goal of Bio-Net is to increase awareness International Year of Biodiversity (IYB). and appreciation of both Manitoba’s, man activities, and expected to rise fur- The Manitoba Biodiversity Network, or and the World’s Biodiversity. ther as a result of the impacts of climate change. Bio-Net for short, was established out Every 2-3 months, Bio-Net members of this meeting. The slogan is meet to discuss local IYB activities The official launch of IYB 2010 took “Biodiversity – Your life support sys- planned for 2010. A campaign to sub- place on January 11, 2010 in Berlin, tem” (with the logo yet to be finalized). mit 52 articles on varying topics of local Germany. Ten thousand participants Bio-Net includes representatives from biodiversity is also underway. Upcom- are expected to celebrate the IYB in Manitoba Conservation, Assiniboine ing events and articles will be posted on October at the Convention on Biological Park Zoo, Zoological Society of Mani- Nature North at www.naturenorth.com. Diversity in Nagoya, Japan. The closing toba, , Fort Nature North is an online nature maga- ceremonies- coinciding with the launch Whyte Alive, Invasive Species Council zine that is dedicated to celebrating the of the 2011 International Year of For- of Manitoba, Manitoba Museum, Oak biodiversity of Manitoba. ests- will take place in Ishikawa, Japan in December. Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre The designation of 2010 as the IYB by and the University of Manitoba, as well the United Nations Convention on Bio- Details on the worldwide celebration of as a number of private citizens. Cheryl logical Diversity was fueled by the un- IYB 2010 and the international events Heming (Coordinator) and I are repre- precedented loss of biodiversity across scheduled can be found on the Conven- senting the ISCM. the planet, which is estimated at 1000 tion of Biological Diversity website at It is estimated that the World’s Biologi- times the natural rate as a result of hu- www.cbd.int/2010/welcome. Page 4 Unwanted Invaders

TALE OF A WANDERING SPIDER

By Dr. Robert E. Wrigley, Curator, Manitoba is host to about 700 species of Norquay and Gary Ruczak) experienced in maintaining spiders. Until its identifica- spiders, which occupy almost all terres- In early May, 2009 a story was released tion could be confirmed, it was treated as trial habitats and some aquatic ones as by the Russell Banner’s Terrie Welwood a potentially dangerous specimen. When well. They play major roles as preda- about a highly venomous spider -- the offered a cricket as food, the spider in- tors of insects and other small organ- Brazilian Wandering Spider -- from tropi- stantly captured and then devoured the isms, and serve as food for songbirds cal America, which arrived in a box of insect, so the spider appeared to be in and many other kinds of animals. All bananas at an IGA grocery store in Rus- good health after its long journey. Manitoba spiders carry venom to immo- sell, Manitoba. Through the efforts of a bilize and digest prey, but none is dan- number of people, the 2.5-cm-long spider gerous to humans, although the bite of a with long legs and red hairy fangs made few species can be painful and cause a its way to the Assiniboine Park Zoo. Con- local irritation or mild allergic reaction. sidering that the fear of spiders The public is encouraged to leave spi- (arachnophobia) is almost universal, it is ders alone to carry out their natural remarkable that a chain of individuals lives, and to not destroy them out of cared enough about this little wandering needless fear. stowaway to ensure that no harm came to In the autumn, many people are it after surviving its over-4000-km trip from alarmed to discover an impressively the tropics. large spider (with two bumps on the The spider appears to have started its abdomen) in a web around the home, journey by hiding in a load of bananas in resulting in a call to the Zoo, a univer- Guatemala, and then being transported to A photo of the wandering spider which arrived at sity, Manitoba Museum, or Insect Con- Manitoba. The box of bananas was ulti- Assinboine Park Zoo. Photo credit: Darlene trol (City Of Winnipeg). This is usually mately shipped to the IGA in Russell, Stack the Jewel Spider (Aranaeus gem- where one night it left its refuge to search moides), the females of which have a for prey. A cleaning-staff member Zoo Curator Dr. Robert Wrigley contacted respectable head-body length of up to (Collaus Summer) discovered the spider Dr. Terry Galloway at the Entomology 15 mm. One of western Canada’s larg- and succeeded in trapping it in a con- Department at the University of Manitoba, est orb-weaver spiders, it is docile and tainer. He handed it over to the Produce who recommended he speak to Canadian only bites if repeatedly provoked. David Manager (Bev Doubleday), who then in spider specialist Dr. Robb Bennett with turn gave it to the Major Pratt High School the British Columbia provincial govern- 12th-grade biology class for study. Using ment. Dr. Bennett acknowledged that the resources of the internet, the students spiders are easily misidentified, and while took up the challenge of identifying it, and this specimen might be a Phoneutria, it they came to the startling conclusion was far-more likely to be a harmless spe- (based on its size and striking red fangs) cies of wandering spider called Cupien- that it was a venomous Brazilian Wander- nius, a species of which also has the red ing Spider (a species of Phoneutria; hairs on the large fangs. These spiders Greek name for “Murderess”), the bites of have been known to be transported in several species of which have resulted in fruit to other North American cities (e.g., The garden spider (Argiope sp.), above left, and the the deaths of small children and seniors in Tulsa in March, 2008), where they are dock spider (Dolomedes sp.), above right, are two Amazonia. Although the bites of these usually misidentified by local spider ex- common species of spiders in Manitoba. Photo spiders are highly sensationalized as the perts as the venomous Phoneutria. Other credits: Nature North. most-venomous and painful in the world, large stowaway spiders (e.g., wandering venom is often not released, or is deliv- and black-widows) have been turned over ered in such small doses that it is insuffi- to the Zoo and the J.B. Wallis Museum of Wade from Insect Control noted that by cient to kill most human victims. Entomology (University of Manitoba) over September, the female has mated with the years, mainly deriving from shipments the smaller male, and is looking for a Amid stories in the media, the spider was of produce. This Manitoba specimen will secluded site to deposit her egg case, passed on by one of the students be submitted to a professor at the Univer- which may contain 800 fertilized eggs. It (Cameron Davidson) to two Manitoba sity of California at Berkeley, who is pre- appears that houses are a preferred site Conservation staff (Grant White and Barry paring a paper on accidental shipments of for stashing the egg case. The female Verbewski), and with the recommendation exotic creatures. The huge volume of dies and the cold-hardy eggs over- from a Canadian Wildlife Service officer cargo being transported around the world winter, then hatch with the warming (Richard Laboissiere), they delivered the generates frequent opportunities for inva- days of spring. On a sunny day, each spider on May 8 to the Assiniboine Park sive pests to reach new continents, where tiny spiderlings releases a strand of silk Zoo for safe-keeping. It was set up se- they often cause enormous damage to and parachutes away on the wind, to curely in a terrarium for public viewing in native ecosystems and national econo- renew the species’ cycle of life. the Tropical House by zookeepers (Val mies (e.g., agriculture, forestry). Page 5 Unwanted Invaders

Upcoming Invasive Species Events

March 2010 Mar 4-7 Mid-Canada Boat Show, Winnipeg Convention Centre, Winnipeg. WSD & DFO booth on aquatic invasives. Mar 9-10 Red River College Earth-a-Thon, RRC, Winnipeg Mar 17 Whiteshell Cottagers Association AGM, Club Regent, Winnipeg Mar 17 Municipal Weed Issues Meeting, Carberry Community Hall, Carberry Mar 18-21 Home Expressions Home & Garden Show, Winnipeg Convention Centre, Winnipeg Mar 19 ISCM EDRR Committee Meeting, 10-2 PM, Tupper Bldg, Portage La Prairie Mar 25-26 National Invasive Species Working Group Forum, Ottawa Mar 28-31 Western Aquatic Management Society Conference, Sheraton Hotel, Seattle, Washington, USA

April 2010 April 6-9 MWSA Spring Training Seminar, Russell Apr 14 Meeting of Association of Manitoba Municipalities, Brandon Apr 23 ISCM Executive Meeting, 10-2 PM, Tupper Bldg, Portage La Prairie

May 2010 May 8 3rd Annual Gardening Saturday, Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg. Keynote speaker: Des Kennedy. May 22 International Biodiversity Day

June 2010 June 1-4 Weeds Across Borders 2010 Conference, Plant Invasions, Policies and Politics, National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, West Virginia, USA June 5 International Trails Day

September 2010

Aug 29 - Sept 2 17th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species (ICAIS), San Diego, California, USA Sept 27-30 North American Weed Management Association 2010 Conference, Pueblo, Colorado, USA

SAVESAVE THETHE DATEDATE

The ISCM, Manitoba Weed Supervisor’s Association (MWSA) and Inte- grated Vegetation Management Association (IVMA) are hosting the: North American Weed Management Association Annual Conference September 2011

More details to follow in the Spring Newsletter! Page 6 Unwanted Invaders

ISCM Executive Board* 2010 Who we are... Cheryl Heming Garth Ball The Invasive Species Council of Manitoba ISCM Coordinator Manitoba Conservation (ISCM) is a non-profit organization provid- Doug Cattani Bill Gardiner ing a centralized and coordinated province- MAFRI MAFRI wide leadership body adopting a collabora- Glen Campbell Wybo Vandershuit tive approach to invasive species in Manitoba Cattle Producers Association Riding Mountain National Park

Manitoba. John Johnston Julie Sveinson Pelc Manitoba Weed Supervisors Association Nature Conservancy of Canada, -Manitoba Region Vision… Maintain a healthy, bio-diverse landscape Ron Moss Wendy Ralley/ Candace Parks Agri-Environment Services Branch Manitoba Water Stewardship through the prevention, early detection, Jane Thornton Lisette Ross and education and awareness of invasive MAFRI Ducks Unlimited Canada alien species management practices in Linda Christianson Leafy Spurge Stakeholders Group order to eradicate or limit further spread. Manitoba Conservation *Other Executive members to be confirmed.

The ISCM would like to thank our funding sources and partners, without whom we would not exist:

• Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Agri-Environment Ser- • Leafy Spurge Stakeholders Group vices Branch (formerly Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Ad- • Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives ministration) (MAFRI), Agriculture Sustainability Initiative • Assiniboine Watershed Network • Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives • Centric Productions • Manitoba Conservation • City of Winnipeg • Manitoba Purple Loosestrife Project • Ducks Unlimited Canada • Manitoba Urban Green Team, Province of Manitoba • Dow Agrosciences Canada • Manitoba Water Stewardship • ECO Canada • Manitoba Weed Supervisors Association • Evergreen-Unilever Aquatic Stewardship Grant • Nature Conservancy of Canada-Manitoba Region Program • Rural Development Institute, Brandon University • Integrated Vegetation and Management Association Manitoba/ Saskatchewan • Service Canada Summer Jobs, Government of Canada • Invasive Alien Species Partnership Program • Sustainable Development Innovations Fund, Manitoba A Government of Canada initiative Conservation

For more information Contact: Invasive Species Council of Manitoba c/o 5006 Roblin Blvd. Winnipeg, Manitoba R3R 0G7 Ph: (204) 232-6021 Fax: (204) 986-7236 E-mail: [email protected]