Spotted Lantern Fly (Lycorma delicatula)
By Joan Sundeen, Master Gardener in-Training, SCMG
Why should we be concerned?
This striking but destructive insect poses a threat to Canadian agriculture and your vigilance is needed.
The Spotted Lantern Fly is native to China and has spread to Southeast Asia, Japan and now the U.S. It may have arrived as egg cases on stone or wood pallets imported from China. No live specimens have been detected in Canada as of this posting, but live insects have been found in New York State and Pennsylvania.
Its preferred species for egg laying is the Tree of Heaven, an invasive plant that is prolific in Southern Ontario.
https://mtcubacenter.org/the-life-cycle-of-the-spotted-lanternfly/
The insect is tiny, about 25 mm long and 12 mm wide, but the nymphs and adults pose a serious threat to most plants, particularly stone fruits, apples and grapes, as well as other plant parts. It pierces plant parts, leaving a sticky residue, which promotes fungus and mould which then cause the death of the plant. The insect produces one generation per year, consisting of four nymphal stages, an adult stage, molting between stages.
The egg cases overwinter and are covered with a paste that looks like putty.
How to spot the egg cases which are laid in vertical rows:
What can you do?
If you spot this insect at any stage, catch it, photograph it and report it to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (see below). Scrape suspected egg cases into a container and report as well. Inspect your car, truck or ATV, camping equipment, tarps, garden equipment and stored patio furniture for egg masses.
Vigilance is the ounce of prevention that can save Canadian agriculture a pound of cure.
Sources: Inspection.canada.ca/plant-health/invasive-species
www.ontario.ca/page/spotted-lanternfly
https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/spotted-lanternfly-biology
