Home / Environment / Spotted Lanternfly Alert: First Windsor Detection
Spotted Lanternfly Alert: First Windsor Detection
18 Sep
Summary
- Spotted lanternfly, a grapevine killer, detected first time in Windsor.
- Pest can impact grape, wine, horticulture, and forestry industries.
- Report sightings with photos and location to CFIA immediately.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the first detection of the spotted lanternfly in Windsor. This invasive insect, native to southeast Asia, is known to kill grapevines and poses a significant threat to the grape and wine industry, as well as horticulture, forestry, and residential areas.
First identified in North America in Pennsylvania in 2014, the spotted lanternfly feeds on the sap of over 100 plant species. Its excrement, known as honeydew, can foster sooty mold growth and attract other insects. The CFIA urges the public to photograph and report any sightings of the insect or its eggs, along with precise locations.
Adult spotted lanternflies measure approximately 25 mm long, with distinctive forewings featuring black spots and hindwings that are red with black spots. Nymphs are black with white spots in early stages, turning red with black and white spots later. Egg masses appear as grey smears on surfaces and resemble seeds when older. Public vigilance is crucial for monitoring and controlling the spread of this economically and ecologically impactful pest.
