As the summer comes into full swing, so do the insects!
Let’s learn how and what insects to report to protect biodiversity!
Reporting Priority Insects
Thankfully, knowing which insects to keep an eye out for is simple! For the third consecutive year, the Canadian Plant Health Council’s Insect Surveillance Community of Practice has developed a list of invasive and migratory insect pests.
The list is summarized in a two-page poster (see below):
Let’s take a closer look at each of these species:
Spotted lanternfly
The spotted lanternfly is a sap-feeding insect that threatens fruit trees (especially grapes), hardwoods, and ornamentals. Though not yet established in BC, it’s a serious concern due to its potential to devastate agriculture and forests.
Spotted Lanternfly. Photo credit: Richard Gardener, Bugwood.org
Spotted lanternfly. Photo credit: Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org
Asian longhorned beetle
The Asian longhorned beetle is a wood-boring beetle that targets a wide range of hardwood trees (like maple and birch). Not currently found in BC, but a major threat if introduced, as it can kill trees and disrupt ecosystems and forestry.
Asian longhorned beetle. Photo credit: Karen Snover-Clift, Cornell University, Bugwood.org
Asian longhorned beetle, Donald Duerr, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Northern giant hornet
Previously known as the “murder hornet,” the Northern giant hornet preys on honeybees and poses risks to native pollinators. It was first detected in BC’s Lower Mainland in 2019–2020 and active efforts are ongoing to prevent establishment.
Northern giant hornet. Photo credit: Karla Salp, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org
Northern giant hornet. Photo credit: Karla Salp, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org
Yellow-spotted stink bug
The yellow-spotted stink bug is a pest is native to Asia that and damages a wide variety of crops and emits a foul odor when disturbed. It has not been detected in BC yet, but it could become a serious agricultural threat if introduced.
Yellow spotted stink bug. Photo credit: Pest and Diseases Image Library , Bugwood.org
Yellow spotted stink bug. Photo credit: Pest and Diseases Image Library , Bugwood.org
Spongy moth
The spongy moth feeds on the leaves of over 300 tree and shrub species. It is periodically found in BC through egg masses or traps, and control measures are used to prevent its spread.
Photo credit: Gyorgy Csoka, Hungary Forest Research Institute, Bugwood.org
Spongy moth. Photo credit: USDA APHIS PPQ , USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org
Japanese beetle
The Japanese beetle feeds on the leaves, flowers, and fruit of over 300 plants. It was detected in the Vancouver area in 2017, with eradication efforts underway due to its potential to damage gardens, crops, and turf.
Japanese Beetle (Credit: Beatriz Moisset, Wikimedia)
Japanese Beetle specimen (credit: Mohammed El Damir, Bugwood.org)
Box tree moth
The box tree moth feeds on boxwood (Buxus spp.) plants, defoliating and often killing them. In recent years, its presence has been confirmed in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime provinces, and experts are concerned about its potential impacts if it were to spread to B.C.
As a result, signs of box tree moth infestations are being monitored closely due to risks that this insect poses to ornamental and landscape plants.
Box tree moth. Photo credit: Szabolcs Sáfián, University of West Hungary, Bugwood.org
Box tree moth. Photo credits: Ferenc Lakatos, University of Sopron, Bugwood.org
Emerald ash borer
The emerald ash borer is a metallic green beetle whose larvae kill ash trees by tunneling under the bark. It is not in B.C. (yet), but it is present in other parts of Canada, where it threatens urban and native ash tree populations.
Emerald ash borer. Photo credit: Hanna Royals, Screening Aids, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org
Emerald ash borer. Photo credit: Judy Gallagher
Nun moth
The nun moth defoliates conifers and hardwoods, with outbreaks that can severely damage forests. While it is not currently established in BC, it is considered a high-risk pest due to its potential impacts on the forestry sector.
Nun moth. Photo credits: Hannes Lemme, Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture, Bugwood.org
Nun moth. Photo credit: Hannes Lemme, Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture, Bugwood.org
Tomato leafminer
The tomato leafminer is a small moth whose larvae destroy tomato crops by mining leaves, stems, and fruit. It is native to the Andes; tomato leafminer is currently found in Europe and North Africa, but not in Canada. Nevertheless, CFIA is keeping a close eye on this pest because it has the potential to seriously damage greenhouse and field-grown tomatoes.
Tomato leafminer. Photo credit: National Plant Protection Organization, the Netherlands , Bugwood.org
Tomato leafminer. Photo credit: Metin GULESCI, Leaf Tobacco, Bugwood.org
Mediterranean oak borer
The Mediterranean oak borer is a fungus-spreading beetle that infests stressed oak trees, potentially killing them. It has been found in California since 2019 but it has yet to be spotted in BC. If introduced, it is believed that B.C. native oak trees could be at risk.
Mediterranean oak borer. Photo credits: gernotkunz, iNaturalist
Mediterranean oak borer. Photo credits: Pest and Disease Image Library, Bugwood.org
European cherry fruit fly
The European cherry fruit fly is the most serious pest for cherry trees in Europe. The flies lay their eggs in the cherries and the larvae feed inside, thus ruining the fruit. It has been reported in Ontario and Quebec, but not (yet) in B.C.
The European cherry fruit fly is a species of concern due to the importance of fruit production in BC.
European cherry fruit fly. Photo credit: Alison Morris, Bugwood.org
European cherry fruit fly. Photo credit: Alison Morris, Bugwood.org
Don’t bug out! Report sightings.
If you think that you have spotted one of these invasives, report bug sightings to the SSISC reporting page.
Don’t bug out! Report sightings.
If you think that you have spotted one of these invasives, report bug sightings to the SSISC reporting page.
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