Northeastern Ontario is experiencing a surge in the spruce budworm, a native defoliating insect. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says it’s a continuation of a natural outbreak. …“This forest pest is a free feeding defoliator that consumes the new growth on species of spruce and balsam fir and in extreme circumstances may feed on tamarack when growing in close proximity to other host trees,” said Jolanta Kowalski, MNRF senior communications officer. …Reports of damaged trees are emerging from across Northern Ontario, from Thunder Bay, to the Sault Ste. Marie area, to Manitoulin Island, Sudbury, Parry Sound, and now Gogama and the Timmins area. …Regarding Northern Ontario’s forest and the potential for negative impacts on the forest industry, the situation is being monitored closely, and aerial spraying isn’t out of the question.