SPOTTED LANTERNFLY A serious threat to vineyards, orchards, and urban forests

What is it? Where is it? Trees and plants at risk

Spotted lanternfly (SLF; SLF has not been detected in Canada. An important host of SLF is the tree of delicatula) is an invasive Its first North American establishment heaven ( altissima), which is also from China. This was in Berk’s County, invasive to North America. Though no tree feeds on plant sugars, (2014). Interceptions of the have mortality is associated with SLF, it is known which disrupts normal nutrient occurred in , , to feed on more than 70 species of trees circulation in the plant. SLF feed Massachusetts, West Virginia, Virginia, and plants, including cultivated grapes, in swarms and large infestations and in two counties across fruit trees, and hardwoods. Host trees can damage grapevines and the border from Ontario’s Niagara often include urban trees such as apple other tender fruits – posing a region. SLF is currently present in ( spp.), black walnut (Juglans nigra), serious threat to Ontario’s Pennsylvania, New Jersey, , and red (). To minimize multi-billion wine (viticulture) and and northern Virginia, prompting the spread of SLF, avoid planting tree of fruit industries. quarantine zones in these states. heaven.

Signs Impacts • Accumulation of a sweet, • Increased costs for insecticide sticky substance called SOOTY MOULD applications in agriculture and for SWARMING SLF “honeydew” at the base of homeowners trees • Degradation of tourism and • Creates dark streaks of sap recreation opportunities related to on trees that attract bees and wasps wineries, agriculture, and hiking • “Rains” from trees during • Swarm feeding will further harm active feeding in spring and trees already stressed by several summer factors such as climate and other • Causes the growth of sooty pests and pathogens mould at the base of trees and on the ground nearby • Honeydew build up attracts wasps • SLF swarm on or at the base and encourages mould growth of host trees and vines • Health hazards to other organisms • SLF will lay muddy-grey egg from sooty mould and bacteria masses on any available hard • Quarantine restrictions resulting surface including trees, vines, from SLF can impact transportation stones, vehicles, and patio corridors and local economies furniture • Dry and cracked egg masses in the cold months How is spotted lanternfly spread?

• SLF will lay egg masses on any hard surface, including vehicles (cars, boats, trailers, etc.), stones, metal, yard waste/brush, landscaping materials/waste, packing materials, and patio furniture. Pay especially close attention if you are moving any of these objects from affected areas. Movement of these objects can spread SLF to new areas. • The feet of adult and nymph SLF are very sticky. They can grasp vehicles and people and hold on even while in transit.

Detecting spotted lanternfly

Life cycle features What to look for

SLF undergoes a series of life stages called “instars” over • Watch for SLF life stages the course of one year. In Pennsylvania, the life cycle has throughout the year. EGG MASSES been observed as follows: • Eggs are laid in April – June groupings of straight First Instar lines with 30-50 eggs per September – April mass. They are covered Eggs June – July Second and in a shiny, putty-like grey Third Instars secretion that dulls and cracks over the winter. Eggs are laid on many surfaces including tree trunks, bricks, stones, metal (e.g. BBQs), and Large clusters lawn furniture. of yellowish- green flowers • Keep watch for tree of Compound heaven, the preferred leaves host of SLF (leaves and flowers pictured on the right). Tree of heaven leaves smell like burnt Glandular teeth peanut butter when (small lobes) along crushed. the base of each July – December July – September leaflet Adults Fourth Instar Photo: Erica Smyers

What can you do? • Check any vehicles for egg masses and nymphs when • Scrape egg masses into a plastic bag filled with alcohol to travelling in/through affected areas. ensure egg mortality. • Check for egg masses from late fall to early spring • Learn to identify SLF and its preferred host, tree of heaven. (September – May) on hard surfaces such as trees, stones, • Avoid planting tree of heaven. and patio furniture.

If you see signs and symptoms of spotted lanternfly, report your sighting to: • Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA): www.inspection.gc.ca/pests • EDDMapS Ontario: 1-800-563-7711 or www.eddmaps.org/ontario

For more information on spotted lanternfly visit: • Centre: www.invasivespeciescentre.ca • Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA): https://www.inspection. gc.ca/plants/plant-pests-invasive-species//spotted-lanternfly/ eng/1433365581428/1433365581959