A recent discovery of a spotted lanternfly in St. Catharines, Ont., has raised alarms about this harmful insect moving into Canada from the United States.
Currently, there are no established populations of spotted lanternfly in Canada – meaning no confirmed reproducing groups in the wild – but experts warn that this invasive pest could seriously harm vineyards, fruit trees, and hardwoods since it feeds on plant sap and may kill grapevines.
Last month, Ontario resident Aidan Dagg found a dead spotted lanternfly and shared it on i Naturalist, a social network and mobile app where people can post and identify plants and animals.
Dagg, who inspects plants at a nursery in St. Catharines, had been looking for this insect for several years. This was his first encounter with one.
![]()
A spotted lanternfly with its wings open. (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)
Diana Mooij from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency told that the spotted lanternfly can feed on over 100 types of trees and plants, posing a big threat to both grape and wine industries.
After Dagg reported the sighting to the CFIA, inspectors came out that same day. They discovered about 30 more dead spotted lanternflies within the same shipment of planting pots imported from Pennsylvania that had been stored since last fall.
“I’m a huge bug nerd,” said Dagg. “It’s one of the coolest-looking bugs we have; it just really sucks that it’s invasive.. But the spotted lanternfly will swarm a plant and feed off of it until it’s dead.”
Research scientist Amanda Roe mentioned that it’s common for spotted lanternflies to travel in shipments. They also cling to flat surfaces like vehicles returning from camping trips in the U. S.
“They’re weak flyers across the Great Lakes, but they’re amazing hitchhikers,” said Roe, who works with Natural Resources Canada at the Great Lakes Forestry Center in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
All stages of this insect – from nymphs to adults – can attach themselves to vehicles and trains. Roe noted that adult spotted lanternflies can hold onto an exposed car hood while traveling at speeds up to 95 kilometers per hour.
![]()
The different phases of the spotted lanternfly, from egg mass to adult lanternfly. (Sue Ogrocki/The Associated Press)
The spotted lanternfly was first detected in the U. S. back in 2014, and infestations are now present in 19 states across America. If not controlled effectively, these pests could lead to significant economic damage.
A study done by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences estimated that Pennsylvania’s economy is already losing $50.1 million US annually due to quarantine measures imposed because of these insects located mainly in southeastern parts of the state. In a worst-case scenario where they spread throughout Pennsylvania, projected losses could reach $554 million US each year along with nearly 5,000 jobs lost.
The situation has become such an issue in the U. S., agricultural officials recommend stomping on any visible spotted lanternflies you see.
Spotted Lanternflies Can Survive Both Hot and Cold Weather
Melody Keena, a retired research entomologist formerly with the U. S. Forest Service’s Northern Research Station stated warmer temperatures favor populations of spots’ growth. Her research showed that these insects thrive better under warmer conditions without suffering much during week-long heatwaves reaching temperatures up to 40 C. In an email sent to she explained how they mature into adults faster when it’s warm outside giving them extra time before laying eggs come fall season.A spotted lanternfly specimen presented by the Invasive Species Centre of Canada (Dalson Chen/CBC)However while warm climates benefit them Roe pointed out winter doesn’t seem too much trouble either. She observed how these pests have moved further northward across U. S territory.
“Insects often are stopped from coming into Canada because they can’t handle our winters,” she said. “Unfortunately , the Spotted Lanternflies have lots ways surviving winter.”Roe participated experiments conducted Tennessee Chicago comparing how well eggs survived fluctuating seasonal temperatures.
“In Chicago , temperature dropped below -20 C several times but by winter’s end most remained intact.”
“They were best batch eggs we’ve recorded ,”she remarked.” So if we’re looking reasons why they won’t spread , that isn’t one.”
The CFIA advises individuals watch closely for signs spotting these flies. If seen , they recommend catching using sealable container reporting as soon possible immediately.
Source link
