Canada's farms and forests face a growing threat as invasive beetles gain ground

Thousands of beetle species live in Canada, and plenty of them provide benefits that support both agriculture and broader ecosystems.

The concern is that hotter conditions and more disruptive weather are helping some invasive beetles expand into places where they can cause serious harm.

When invasive species spread into new growing regions, they can threaten crops, disrupt native food webs, and create new costs for communities that rely on healthy forests and dependable harvests.

In a video from The Weather Network (@weathernetwork), the channel summed up the issue this way: "There are over 8,000 species of beetles in Canada, but not all are created equal."

It said warmer conditions are making parts of Canada more accessible to invasive beetles.

As the channel noted, beetles should not be treated as a single problem group. Some can help agriculture by feeding on troublesome weeds, and others contribute by breaking down waste. 

"Dung removal is a service that is played by beetles," it said.

An expert identified in the video as Bouchard said changes in climate can give invasive species an edge over native beetles.

"If there are changes in the temperature or climate over time, then they may be well placed to outperform some of the native species and displace the native species," Bouchard said.

That can create problems not only for native insects but also for farms, gardens, and nearby habitats, since invasive pests may arrive without the predators or parasites that would normally help control them.

The video also pointed to extreme weather as another factor in the spread of invasive beetles. Bouchard said strong winds can push them into growing areas where they were not previously found, and flooding can carry them over long distances.

"We have flooding events, more flooding events, and these beetles, a lot of them can survive like on little rafts of um wood, for example, and be transported great distances, and this may be a good opportunity for them to colonize a new area," Bouchard said.

Once an invasive insect gets established, the costs of monitoring, control, and crop loss can add up quickly, making it harder to protect crops and native species.

When invasive beetles become a serious agricultural problem, one possible response is to study natural enemies from the pests' home range and consider them for carefully tested control efforts.

Bouchard said researchers can "bring in their natural suite of predators or parasites from their area of origin after many studies and showing that, you know, these parasites are only going to attack the one species that we want out of Canada or we want to control."

Public reports can also help spot new arrivals early. The video said people can upload insect photos through the iNaturalist app, where experts may review the images and sometimes send out a team to collect a specimen. Early detection can help officials respond before a species becomes more widespread.

As Bouchard put it, "These alien species might do really well in the new environment, especially if the climate or the weather is changing a lot."

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