How do Exotic Pests Impact Forested Ecosystems and Landscape Trees in North America?
Gaston Laflamme and Thomas Hofacker Invasions of exotic forest pests into North America (NA) likely began with the arrival of settlers from Europe. These settlers had a direct and enormous impact in the East and South as forests were cleared for cities, towns, and agricultural purposes. So much so, that by the late 1800s, the eastern and southern forests of NA bore little resemblance to the native forests that the European settlers first encountered. This is the backdrop against which invasions of exotic forest insects and pathogens began to be recognized as the sciences of entomology and plant pathology emerged on the continent. Then came gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) and chestnut blight (Chryphonectria parasitica). In the early 1900s, a massive (and unsuccessful) gypsy moth eradication and suppression program began. Efforts to deal with these introductions continue today, with millions of dollars spent annually. While the gypsy moth was intentionally imported into North America, ches
