Road and maintenance crews across Ontario are once again being asked to be on the lookout for an invasive species known as the Spotted Lanternfly or SLF.
The SLF has been added to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s list of regulated pests to help prevent the introduction and spread from infested areas. So far it has not been seen in surveys conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in Ontario, but reporting sightings of SLF assists with early detection.
The SLF attacks various agricultural crops, landscape ornamentals and hardwood trees, including commercially important grapevines, hops, nursery plants, black walnut, birch and maple. This makes it a threat to the agriculture and forestry industries in Canada. The pests damage plants directly by feeding on sap from the stems and trunks, and indirectly by excreting large amounts of sugary honeydew that promotes the development of sooty mould and interferes with photosynthesis. The spotted lanternfly is considered a plant stressor and may contribute to the long-term weakening of established vines, shrubs and trees.
Nymphs hatch from eggs in the spring and go through four developmental stages known as instars. The first three instar stages are black with white spots and the fourth is bright red with white spots and black bands, and approximately 13–15 mm in length. All nymphs are strong jumpers and are highly mobile. Early instars have a broad host range and feed on young shoots of perennials and annual plants. Fourth instar nymphs and adults typically restrict their feeding to woody tissues of grapevines, walnut, maple, birch, TOH and other hardwood species.
Photo Source: Ontario.ca
Early and late instar SLF nymphs. Photo Source: Steve Ausmus, USDA-ARS.
Signs of the SLF include:
- Plants that ooze and have a fermented odor. Look for weep trails on the trunks of larger trees
- Buildup of sticky fluid (honeydew) and sooty mould on plants and on the ground underneath infested plants
Help reduce the introduction and spread
Long distance spread is typically associated with people inadvertently moving overwintering egg masses. Female SLF lay their eggs on virtually any flat surface, including host plants and non-plant material such as landscaping stones, outdoor furniture, pots, firewood and vehicles. If you have been travelling through known infested areas in the U.S.:
Check vehicles, equipment and yard items for SLF before you return to Ontario. SLF hitchhike to new areas on cars, trailers, campers, ATVs, outdoor furniture, toys, pots and recreational gear, all of which should be inspected. Pay particular attention to your vehicle’s underside and wheel wells, noting egg masses can look like mud spatters. Consider going through a high-pressure car wash to remove any potential egg masses.
Don’t move firewood. SLF feed and lay eggs on many tree species. Buy firewood close to where you will burn it, to avoid transporting unwanted pests.
Report your sightings
If you see a suspected SLF in Ontario, take pictures, collect a sample and report it immediately to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Information including location, date and items/plant on which the specimens were found should be included in your submission.
For photographs, a clear image of the specimen is needed for species confirmation. If collecting samples, place eggs, nymphs or adults into a sealed container or plastic bag containing alcohol or vinegar to kill them. Eggs can be scraped into the container or bag with a knife or credit card. Do not transport live specimens.
Source: ontario.ca
