A recent finding of spotted lanternfly in St. Catharines, Ont., has raised concerns about the invasive insect making its way into Canada from the United States. While there are no confirmed reproducing populations of spotted lanternfly in Canada, experts warn that the insect poses a significant threat to vineyards, fruit trees, and hardwoods due to its feeding habits that can lead to the death of grapevines.
In a recent discovery, Ontario resident Aidan Dagg stumbled upon a deceased spotted lanternfly and documented it on iNaturalist, a platform for sharing and identifying flora and fauna. Dagg, who works as a nursery inspector in St. Catharines, had been monitoring for the insect for several years, marking this as his first encounter with it.
According to Diana Mooij from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the spotted lanternfly is capable of feeding on over 100 species of trees and plants, posing a significant risk to the grape and wine industries. Upon reporting the sighting to CFIA, inspectors swiftly responded and recovered 12 deceased adult spotted lanternflies from a shipment of planting pots imported from Pennsylvania.
Research scientist Amanda Roe highlighted that spotted lanternflies often travel in shipments and can cling to flat surfaces like vehicles, making them adept hitchhikers. Roe, based at Natural Resources Canada’s Great Lakes Forestry Center in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., emphasized that all life stages of the insect can attach to vehicles and trains, with adult lanternflies even able to withstand speeds of up to 95 kilometers per hour.
The spotted lanternfly was first identified in the U.S. in 2014, with infestations now present in 19 states. In an unchecked scenario, the insect can cause substantial economic harm. A study from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences in 2019 estimated annual economic losses of $50.1 million US within Pennsylvania’s quarantine zone, projecting potential annual losses of up to $554 million US and nearly 5,000 jobs if the insects spread throughout the state.
The spotted lanternfly thrives in warm temperatures, with research indicating that they are resilient even during extended heat waves. Melody Keena, a retired research entomologist from the U.S. Forest Service’s Northern Research Station, noted that warmer conditions expedite the development of adult lanternflies, providing more time for resource accumulation for egg-laying in the fall.
Despite the favorable conditions in warmer climates, Roe mentioned that winter does not deter the spotted lanternfly, as they have demonstrated adaptability to survive colder temperatures. Experiments conducted by Roe in Tennessee and Chicago revealed that the eggs of spotted lanternflies endured extreme winter conditions, suggesting their resilience against harsh weather.
The CFIA advises vigilance against spotted lanternflies and recommends capturing any sightings in a secure container and reporting them promptly to mitigate their potential spread.
