This tree-killing beetle revealed its presence in B.C. when it flew into the wrong person
Amateur entomologist Andrew Short was sitting on a bench in downtown Vancouver in June 2023 when the unfamiliar metallic green beetle hit him and fell to the ground.
He said he "needed to know what it was," so he captured it, took it home to photograph, and later handed it over to authorities — who confirmed the insect to be the first emerald ash borer collected in Canada west of Manitoba.
Short's fortuitous encounter set in motion a chain reaction of research aimed at understanding and clamping down on the pest that has devastated ash forests across North America, killing millions of trees in Canada and the United States.
"I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. So, if that's what some people consider fate, then I guess it was," he said in an interview.
Short makes a hobby of searching for insects and plants, examining how they interact and photographing them.
"I'm quite versed in invasive species and what they can do, but I certainly hadn't considered for a moment that I'd ever have a run-in with an emerald ash borer," he said.
"It's kind of a strange feeling to realize that you've found something that's that important."
Nearby park infested
A study published this spring in the peer-reviewed journal BioInvasions Records describes Short's role in the beetle's discovery in Vancouver, and subsequent findings that included "heavily infested" trees in Andy Livingstone Park, about 300 metres from the site of his encounter near B.C. Place stadium.
The study suggests emerald ash borers, which are native to East Asia, were likely first present in the downtown Vancouver park "no later than 2020."
Lead author Chris MacQuarrie, a forest entomologist with Natural Resources Canada, said Short was "the best person" for the beetle to have run into, even if not from the beetle's perspective.
"There are lots of green beetles and people think they've found it and they turn it in and we're really happy when it's not (an emerald ash borer). But this time, it was."
WATCH | Montreal forest infested by emerald ash borer:
Montreal forest decimated by beetles set to lose 1,000 trees
9 months ago
Duration 1:59
MacQuarrie said it's "really rare" to find an adult emerald ash borer, which measures up to about 1.4 centimetres.
He said the discovery in Vancouver represents a "big jump" from pre-existing infestations in Canada and the United States.
MacQuarrie said Short had the "presence of mind" to capture the beetle, which he tucked into a makeshift container using material in his backpack, then took it home to photograph before enlisting the help of another hobbyist entomologist to identify it.
All they could conclude, Short said, was that it "was something that shouldn't have been here."
Short submitted a suspected invasive species report along with photographs of the beetle to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
He eventually met with someone from the agency and handed over the bug, which he had frozen.
After the agency confirmed Short's beetle was an ash borer, MacQuarrie said he and other researchers met in Vancouver last year to investigate.
They set traps and took samples from trees near the bench. While the traps did not capture any adult ash borers, branch samples yielded 19 larvae.
MacQuarrie said the closest infestation in Canada is in Winnipeg, though there is another population in Oregon.
Beetles fly under the radar
The researchers could not determine how the beetle was introduced to Vancouver, although the pest is commonly dispersed via infested wood. An infested tree found in nearby Burnaby last year suggests the beetles in Vancouver could be an "extension" of an older infestation that went undetected, the study says.
The beetles often go undetected for years in new places, with sick or dead trees usually the first sign of infestation.
The findings in Vancouver suggest there may be other undetected populations in western North America, the study says.
Short's discovery has given researchers the opportunity to study the beetle's behaviour in Vancouver. It grows faster in warmer conditions, and researchers "don't really know" how fast it may kill trees in Vancouver's maritime climate, MacQuarrie said.
Early detection allows for mitigation measures such as insecticides, removing infected trees, diversifying the tree canopy and educating the public, he said.
The Vancouver finding has sparked interest elsewhere, MacQuarrie added, with a British forestry researcher starting work with Canadian counterparts to examine how the beetle is behaving in European ash species in the city.
Short said some people think his bug-catching hobby is "weird."
But it's calming, he said, slowing down and focusing on what is right in front of you.
"You don't have to look far to find really cool things."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Globe and Mail
6 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Biotech entrepreneur Francesco Bellini uplifted the next generation of Canadian scientists
Francesco Bellini, one of Canada's most successful biotechnology entrepreneurs, has died, leaving behind a legacy of life-saving work and opportunity for those following in his footsteps. Mr. Bellini, who died on Thursday in Calgary after a cardiac arrest earlier in the week, came to Canada as an Italian immigrant in 1967. He settled in Quebec where he co-founded BioChem Pharma Inc. There, he would go on to raise Canada's presence in biopharmaceutical research on the global stage through the development and commercialization of the 3TC molecule, which remains a critical ingredient in the drug used to treat HIV/AIDS. 'He was Mr. biotech Canada. There's no doubt about that,' said Pierre Larochelle, co-managing partner at Idealist Capital, who worked closely with Mr. Bellini for many years. In 2001, Mr. Bellini sold BioChem for $5.9-billion in a transaction that set the bar for the industry and it remains highly regarded to this day as an 'Everest of achievement,' said Brian Bloom, CEO of Toronto life sciences underwriter Bloom Burton & Co. Mr. Bellini carried on leading and investing in companies until he settled into his final major professional role as chair of Bellus Health Inc., with his son Roberto at the reins as CEO. In 2023, the family sold Bellus to British drug giant GSK PLC for US$2-billion. Clarissa Desjardins, CEO of Congruence Therapeutics, met Mr. Bellini 30 years ago as a young life sciences entrepreneur. In addition to his encouragement of her generation, she said his trajectory from a young immigrant to the head of a Canadian pharmaceutical empire always stuck with her. 'It's quite a legacy of him showing us what was possible,' she said. Mr. Larochelle said that Mr. Bellini constantly displayed a sense of courage, which had a great influence on him as an entrepreneur and now father. 'He was always undertaking something,' he said. 'Whatever it was, from a business standpoint or personal standpoint, he was always trying something and building something.' Despite the many trials and tribulations Mr. Bellini faced throughout his career, Mr. Larochelle said it's worth noting that he never compromised on his commitment to his wife and two sons. 'What defined him is he was able to do that, achieve extraordinary success, while staying a very close family and an exceptional husband and father,' he said. And in circumstances where Mr. Bellini's work and family life collided, Dr. Desjardins said he honourably upheld this trait. For example, if he ever disagreed with a decision being made at Bellus, he would voice his opinion and then defer to his son or the board for a final call, setting his pride aside. 'It showed a lot of leadership, maturity and, frankly, love,' she said. Outside of life sciences, and even Canada, Mr. Bellini held the status of a local celebrity in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, the small town where his family was from, after he bought the soccer team there in 2014. Walking through the streets with him after that purchase is one of long-time friend and former Air Canada CEO Calin Rovinescu's fondest memories of the entrepreneur. 'He was celebrated on the streets literally like a rock star,' Mr. Rovinescu said. 'It was as if we were walking with Brad Pitt through the centre of the town. People stopping, taking pictures, asking for his autograph. Other pursuits of note for Mr. Bellini included a winery he and his wife, Marisa, established in Italy and an olive-oil business. In the early days of Mr. Bellini's career, Mr. Rovinescu said a portrait of Albert Einstein sat nearby the scientist's desk, with a famous quote plastered on it reminding him not to take no for an answer. That motto of persistence, he said, no matter the number of failures Mr. Bellini faced, became a cornerstone of his character – one which people all over the world continue to benefit from today. Whether someone has received a treatment made possible by his work, or is one of the scores of young scientists given a chance because of a company Mr. Bellini built or invested in, Mr. Rovinescu said his legacy will continue to be wide-reaching for decades to come. 'When you look at the net effect of all that, that could be millions of lives that would have been enhanced through his contribution to science.'
The Province
6 hours ago
- The Province
How a tree-killing beetle chose wrong human to fly into, revealing presence in B.C.
Andrew Short's fortuitous encounter set in motion a chain reaction of research aimed at understanding and clamping down on the pest that has devastated ash forests across North America Published Jul 13, 2025 • 3 minute read An emerald ash borer that was found by Andrew Short in Vancouver, on June 15, 2023, is seen in a handout photo. The amateur entomologist's discovery revealed the first infestation of the beetle in British Columbia. Photo by Andrew Short / The Canadian Press The tiny beetle could scarcely have picked a worse human to fly into. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Amateur entomologist Andrew Short was sitting on a bench in downtown Vancouver in June 2023 when the unfamiliar metallic green beetle hit him and fell to the ground. He said he 'needed to know what it was,' so he captured it, took it home to photograph, and later handed it over to authorities — who confirmed the insect to be the first emerald ash borer collected in Canada west of Manitoba. Short's fortuitous encounter set in motion a chain reaction of research aimed at understanding and clamping down on the pest that has devastated ash forests across North America, killing millions of trees in Canada and the United States. 'I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. So, if that's what some people consider fate, then I guess it was,' he said in an interview. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Short makes a hobby of searching for insects and plants, examining how they interact and photographing them. 'I'm quite versed in invasive species and what they can do, but I certainly hadn't considered for a moment that I'd ever have a run-in with an emerald ash borer,' he said. 'It's kind of a strange feeling to realize that you've found something that's that important.' A study published this spring in the peer-reviewed journal BioInvasions Records describes Short's role in the beetle's discovery in Vancouver, and subsequent findings that included 'heavily infested' trees in Andy Livingstone Park, about 300 metres from the site of his encounter near B.C. Place stadium. The study suggests emerald ash borers, which are native to East Asia, were likely first present in the downtown Vancouver park 'no later than 2020.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Lead author Chris MacQuarrie, a forest entomologist with Natural Resources Canada, said Short was 'the best person' for the beetle to have run into — if not from the beetle's perspective. 'There are lots of green beetles and people think they've found it and they turn it in and we're really happy when it's not (an emerald ash borer). But this time, it was.' MacQuarrie said it's 'really rare' to find an adult emerald ash borer, which measures up to about 1.4 cm. He said the discovery in Vancouver represents a 'big jump' from pre-existing infestations in Canada and the United States. MacQuarrie said Short had the 'presence of mind' to capture the beetle, which he tucked into a makeshift container using material in his backpack, then took it home to photograph before enlisting the help of another hobbyist entomologist to identify it. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. All they could conclude, Short said, was that it 'was something that shouldn't have been here.' Short submitted a suspected invasive species report along with photographs of the beetle to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. He eventually met with someone from the agency and handed over the bug, which he had frozen. After the agency confirmed Short's beetle was an ash borer, MacQuarrie said he and other researchers met in Vancouver last year to investigate. They set traps and took samples from trees near the bench. While the traps did not capture any adult ash borers, branch samples yielded 19 larvae. MacQuarrie said the closest infestation in Canada is in Winnipeg, though there is another population in Oregon. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The researchers could not determine how the beetle was introduced to Vancouver, although the pest is commonly dispersed via infested wood. An infested tree found in nearby Burnaby last year suggests the beetles in Vancouver could be an 'extension' of an older infestation that went undetected, the study says. The beetles often go undetected for years in new places, with sick or dead trees usually the first sign of infestation. The findings in Vancouver suggest there may be other undetected populations in western North America, the study says. Short's discovery has given researchers the opportunity to study the beetle's behaviour in Vancouver. It grows faster in warmer conditions, and researchers 'don't really know' how fast it may kill trees in Vancouver's maritime climate, MacQuarrie said. Early detection allows for mitigation measures such as insecticides, removing infected trees, diversifying the tree canopy and educating the public, he said. The Vancouver finding has sparked interest elsewhere, MacQuarrie added, with a British forestry researcher starting work with Canadian counterparts to examine how the beetle is behaving in European ash species in the city. Short said some people think his bug-catching hobby is 'weird.' But it's calming, he said, slowing down and focusing on what is right in front of you. 'You don't have to look far to find really cool things.' Vancouver Canucks Local News Vancouver Canucks News News
CBC
8 hours ago
- CBC
This tree-killing beetle revealed its presence in B.C. when it flew into the wrong person
The tiny beetle could scarcely have picked a worse human to fly into. Amateur entomologist Andrew Short was sitting on a bench in downtown Vancouver in June 2023 when the unfamiliar metallic green beetle hit him and fell to the ground. He said he "needed to know what it was," so he captured it, took it home to photograph, and later handed it over to authorities — who confirmed the insect to be the first emerald ash borer collected in Canada west of Manitoba. Short's fortuitous encounter set in motion a chain reaction of research aimed at understanding and clamping down on the pest that has devastated ash forests across North America, killing millions of trees in Canada and the United States. "I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. So, if that's what some people consider fate, then I guess it was," he said in an interview. Short makes a hobby of searching for insects and plants, examining how they interact and photographing them. "I'm quite versed in invasive species and what they can do, but I certainly hadn't considered for a moment that I'd ever have a run-in with an emerald ash borer," he said. "It's kind of a strange feeling to realize that you've found something that's that important." Nearby park infested A study published this spring in the peer-reviewed journal BioInvasions Records describes Short's role in the beetle's discovery in Vancouver, and subsequent findings that included "heavily infested" trees in Andy Livingstone Park, about 300 metres from the site of his encounter near B.C. Place stadium. The study suggests emerald ash borers, which are native to East Asia, were likely first present in the downtown Vancouver park "no later than 2020." Lead author Chris MacQuarrie, a forest entomologist with Natural Resources Canada, said Short was "the best person" for the beetle to have run into, even if not from the beetle's perspective. "There are lots of green beetles and people think they've found it and they turn it in and we're really happy when it's not (an emerald ash borer). But this time, it was." WATCH | Montreal forest infested by emerald ash borer: Montreal forest decimated by beetles set to lose 1,000 trees 9 months ago Duration 1:59 MacQuarrie said it's "really rare" to find an adult emerald ash borer, which measures up to about 1.4 centimetres. He said the discovery in Vancouver represents a "big jump" from pre-existing infestations in Canada and the United States. MacQuarrie said Short had the "presence of mind" to capture the beetle, which he tucked into a makeshift container using material in his backpack, then took it home to photograph before enlisting the help of another hobbyist entomologist to identify it. All they could conclude, Short said, was that it "was something that shouldn't have been here." Short submitted a suspected invasive species report along with photographs of the beetle to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. He eventually met with someone from the agency and handed over the bug, which he had frozen. After the agency confirmed Short's beetle was an ash borer, MacQuarrie said he and other researchers met in Vancouver last year to investigate. They set traps and took samples from trees near the bench. While the traps did not capture any adult ash borers, branch samples yielded 19 larvae. MacQuarrie said the closest infestation in Canada is in Winnipeg, though there is another population in Oregon. Beetles fly under the radar The researchers could not determine how the beetle was introduced to Vancouver, although the pest is commonly dispersed via infested wood. An infested tree found in nearby Burnaby last year suggests the beetles in Vancouver could be an "extension" of an older infestation that went undetected, the study says. The beetles often go undetected for years in new places, with sick or dead trees usually the first sign of infestation. The findings in Vancouver suggest there may be other undetected populations in western North America, the study says. Short's discovery has given researchers the opportunity to study the beetle's behaviour in Vancouver. It grows faster in warmer conditions, and researchers "don't really know" how fast it may kill trees in Vancouver's maritime climate, MacQuarrie said. Early detection allows for mitigation measures such as insecticides, removing infected trees, diversifying the tree canopy and educating the public, he said. The Vancouver finding has sparked interest elsewhere, MacQuarrie added, with a British forestry researcher starting work with Canadian counterparts to examine how the beetle is behaving in European ash species in the city. Short said some people think his bug-catching hobby is "weird." But it's calming, he said, slowing down and focusing on what is right in front of you. "You don't have to look far to find really cool things."
