Spotted Lanterfly Threatens Ontario Viticulture

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed the spotted lanternfly has been established in Ontario.

Native to southeastern Asia, the spotted lanternfly first established itself in Berks County, Penn., in September 2014, spreading across parts of the Northeast and Midwest, including Michigan, Ohio and New York. Quarantine attempts failed to stop its spread and regional grape and fruit growers have suffered significant losses, including damage to vines and trees, since its proliferation.

“We found hundreds of spotted lanternflies,” says Emily Posteraro, program development coordinator for Canada’s Invasive Species Centre. She notes most were found on tree-of-heaven, a long-established invasive tree species in Canada and the lanternfly’s preferred plant host.