By Brent Bosker

New research heightens concerns about destructive beetle

Apr 6, 2011 | 7:21 AM

New research about a destructive beetle decimating forests in Western Canada is raising fears here in Saskatchewan.

Scientists say the Mountain Pine Beetle have successfully made the transition from Lodgepole Pine to Jack Pine, which could spell bad news for this province.

Rod Thompson with the ministry of environment said the science confirms what they had long feared.

“If the beetle can establish itself in this type of forest ecosystem, then the threat of the kind of damage that has happened in the B.C. and Alberta is also a potential for the rest of Canada,” said Thompson, who manages the forest practices and science unit of the Saskatchewan forest service.

The beetles have already ravaged millions trees in those provinces and affected the local economies.

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It remains to be seen how well the beetle with take to the Jack Pine, but nonetheless the findings are of a great concern to the province with the beetle knocking on Saskatchewan’s door, Thompson said.

“Because we actively prevent fire we have more mature jack pine than we might naturally have and this is the primary food source of the beetles,” he said.

“We’re going to step up our work with Alberta and the federal government on a strategy that would benefit the rest of Canada.”

We’ll be meeting shortly to see what kind of strategy we can put in place to prevent the spread of the beetle, Thompson said.

The Saskatchewan government is adding an additional $155,000 this year into surveillance measures.

“The ideal situation is to continue fighting the beetle in Alberta, before it gets to Saskatchewan.”

However, Thompson said he isn’t yet sure that stopping the beetle from crossing our border is possible.

“Alberta and BC suffered significant damage regardless of what they’ve done. I think the jury is out there, but I think we’ve got to try.”

Because this is a different species than what the beetle normally takes to there is a chance we can ward it off, Thompson said.

Experts say climate change will determine how quickly the beetle spreads eastward.

bbosker@panow.com