Gypsy moths could severely impact the Garry oak ecosystem and other vegetation systems throughout southern Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast, Lower Mainland and B.C.’s southern interior valleys. Garry oak ecosystems are restricted primarily to the southeast coast of Vancouver Island and the southern Gulf Islands. These ecosystems occupy only a small portion of the Coastal Douglas-fir zone. Garry oak ecosystems range from southwestern British Columbia to California. The Victoria area has a high concentration of Garry oak compared to the rest of the province. The Garry oak is a favoured food of the gypsy moth, which makes it very vulnerable to this voracious feeder. The Garry oak ecosystem is also under pressure from two other introduced insects, non-native plant species, and the effects of urbanization in the Greater Victoria area. An established gypsy moth population could kill large numbers of these trees and put the Garry oak ecosystem at severe risk. The Garry oak ecosystem is probably unique in its extreme vulnerability, but other deciduous trees will also be at risk. Where the moth has been established in the eastern United States for many years, foresters have found it has caused dramatic species shifts within hardwood forests as susceptible trees are repeatedly defoliated and weakened by the insect, then displaced by other species. The establishment of the gypsy moth in B.C. is of minimal importance to forest health directly. However, there is significant potential impact to the forest industry from trade restrictions and quarantines on export to the United States if the gypsy moth were to become established. The main impact to B.C. forestry, nursery and Christmas tree industries would be significant inspection and certification costs for products leaving the regulated area, including Christmas trees, nursery stock, and unmanufactured logs. These certification requirements would apply to movement of commodities to uninfested areas in both Canada and the United States. A report done in 1994 for the Ministry of Forests, Agriculture Canada and Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food concluded the following: "Apart from the susceptible Garry oak stands and perhaps aspen (especially in early years), B.C. (conifer) forests should be quite resistant to gypsy moth." However, the most obvious impacts of an established gypsy moth population would be on the health of many valuable native and non-native ornamental, fruit, shade and boulevard deciduous trees (see the host list). More information on Garry Oak Ecosystems:
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