Forestry Services

Life Cycle: Annual, reproducing only by seed.

Habitat: Velvetleaf occurs in southern Ontario where it is increasing in corn, soybeans and other annually tilled crops and in waste places.

Description: It is distinguished by its erect habit of growth, large, alternate, valentine-shaped leaves which are very soft-velvety to the touch, its yellow to yellow-orange flowers, each with a central column of stamens, its ring of several seedpods produced from each flower, and in late autumn bloom the rather grotesque to blackish stem with many erect clusters of seedpods.

Life Cycle: Perennial, reproducing only by seed.

Habitat: Purple loosestrife was introduced from Europe but is now widely naturalized in wet meadows, river flood-plains, and damp roadsides throughout most of Ontario.

Description: Its opposite leaves and square stems resemble plants of the Mint Family but it is distinguished by having separate petals, a seedpod with many fine seeds, and it lacks the minty odour.

Susceptible Trees: oak, birch and aspen, sugar maple, American beech, eastern white pine and Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) in Southern Ontario.

Characteristics and Life Cycle: Over the winters the egg stage occurs on the bark of trees. During spring, eggs hatch and larvae ascend the trees to feed on the new growth. As young caterpillars they feed generally during the day but throughout development will transition to nighttime feeding. Feeding damage ranges from small “shotgun” holes in leaves to consuming entire leaves. As caterpillars they measure approximately 50mm long, dark in colour, hairy and have a double row of five pairs of blue spots, followed by a double row of six pairs of red spots proceeding down their back. Male moths are light brown and slender-bodied, while females are white and heavy-bodied.

Symptoms and Damage: Spongy moth outbreaks occur every 7 to 10 years.  Larvae chew holes in leaves or devour entire leaves.  In late July, spongy egg masses can be observed on the trunks and branches of infected trees.  During severe outbreaks, trees and shrubs are completely defoliated over large areas; despite the trees’ ability to produce a new crop of leaves over the summer, the damage causes significant growth loss.  Understory shrubs and plants may also be affected.

Susceptible Trees: all ash species in Ontario, including green, red, white, black and blue ash, as well as some non-native species such as European black ash.

Characteristics and Life Cycle: Metallic green adults emerge in June and July and are generally between 8.5-13.5 mm long. Adults have a flattened head, large black eyes on the sides of their heads and short antennae. The eggs are laid within the bark of ash trees and there can be as many as 90 eggs. Larvae feed by chewing “S” shaped tunnels under the bark and can be identified by their cream-colour, flattened body with a brown head and pincers. Larvae pupate in April or May and adults can be seen around two weeks later. The entire lifespan can be completed within one year.

Symptoms and Damage: Meandering “S” shaped tunnels (galleries) wrap around the ash trees and foliage will wilt or turn yellow. Emerging adult beetles leave a “D” shaped exit hole that is 4 to 5 mm across on the bark of infected trees. Frass (refuse left behind by boring insects) or sawdust will be evident in tunnels. Because the tunnels made by larvae girdle the tree, it cuts off the flow of food and water. This causes branch mortality which leads to eventual tree death. Epicormic shoots (growing from a previously dormant bud) may appear on the tree’s branches and trunk.