Plant health survey report for 2022-2023

Every year, we conduct surveys to support plant health in Canada.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) Plant Health Survey Program supports plant health by detecting new pests and by monitoring the spread of established pest populations, forming the basis for sound regulatory decisions. Surveillance data collected by trapping, visual inspection and sampling efforts contribute to policy development and trade negotiations. Plant health surveillance activities also support Canada in meeting the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures.

These survey results were collected between April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023.

Survey results

• Highlights
• Forest pests
  • Asian longhorned beetle
  • Emerald ash borer
  • Invasive alien forest insects
  • Spongy moth and flighted spongy moth complex
  • Rosy moth
  • Nun moth
  • Brown spruce longhorn beetle
  • Hemlock woolly adelgid
  • Oakwilt
• Horticultural pests
  • Ramorum blight
  • Oriental fruit moth
  • Japanese beetle
  • Blueberry maggot
  • Apple maggot
  • Tobacco blue mold
  • Plum pox virus
• Potato pests
  • Potato wart
• Invasive plants
  • Seed and grain facilities
  • Kudzu
  • Japanese stiltgrass
• Other pests of concern
  • Box tree moth
  • European cherry fruit fly
  • Southern pine beetle
• About us

Highlights

Every year, we conduct surveys to find out where we have plant pests and how fast they are spreading. We do this by trapping insects, sampling soil or plants, looking for signs and symptoms of pests, laboratory identifications, and other procedures.

British Columbia: Japanese Beetle

• Detection in a new area: Richmond
• In Vancouver, the number of Japanese beetles caught in traps decreased again.
• Help stop the spread: Don't move plants and soil outside of regulated areas.

Alberta And British Columbia: Spongy Moth

• Detections in new areas: Kelowna and Delta (flighted spongy moth complex).
• Detected overall in 48 municipalities in British Columbia and Alberta.
• Help stop the spread: Traveling from Eastern to Western Canada? Inspect your vehicle and outdoor equipment for egg masses, larvae or insects

Ontario: Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

• Detection in a new area: Pelham, Hamilton, and near Grafton.
• Help stop the spread: Don't move firewood, hemlock plants,
  forest products and other material outside the regulated areas.

Quebec: Emerald Ash Borer

• Detection in a new area: Carleton-sur-mer, Gaspésie.
• Help stop the spread: Don't move firewood.

Canada-wide news

• No detections of Asian longhorned beetle, blueberry maggot and apple maggot.
• We continue to monitor each area and work closely with collaborators to eradicate pests, address new detections and inform regulatory decisions.

Prevent the spread

• Be aware of emerging threats such as box tree moth and spotted lanternfly
• Report suspicious findings to the CFIA

Forest pests

Asian longhorned beetle

The Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) is an invasive insect that attacks and kills a wide variety of deciduous tree species. This beetle was detected for the first time in Canada in September of 2003. An eradication program was implemented and in 2020, the pest was declared eradicated from Canada based on 5 years of negative survey data and in accordance with international phytosanitary standards. Given the constant threat this pest poses to Canada, ongoing national surveillance activities are designed to ensure a high probability of detection in high risk areas.

Emerald ash borer

The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) was first detected in Canada in Windsor, Ontario in July 2002. Since the initial detection, this species has been found in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and parts of Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The primary goal of this survey is to determine whether EAB is present in areas where it is not known to occur in order to provide information in support of regulatory decisions.

Invasive alien forest insects

The invasive alien species surveys of forest insects are pathway-based surveys designed to detect a broad range of wood borers and bark beetles using semiochemical-baited black, multiple funnel traps. Since 2015, traps have been baited with either the general longhorn lure (fuscumol, fuscumol acetate, ultra-high release ethanol) or the pine sawyer lure (monochamol, ipsenol, ultra-high release alpha-pinene and ultra-high release ethanol). In 2018, regional offices in province of Quebec participated in a pilot project whereby green multiple funnel traps are set in tree canopies to target wood boring insects that preferentially attack the upper portions of a tree. In 2022 all areas in Canada are implementing canopy traps as well as standard ground-level traps.

The surveys focus on urban areas where the risk of invasive alien insects moved with international wood packaging and dunnage is greatest. The primary goal of these surveys is to detect new introductions of non-indigenous species not known to be present in Canada. The invasive alien species forest pest trapping survey, in addition to providing an early warning of the presence of potentially invasive pests in Canada, also provides valuable information on the diversity of Canada's insect fauna.

Spongy moth and flighted spongy moth complex

The spongy moth (Lymantria dispar dispar), formerly known as the European gypsy moth, is established in Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and in Prince Edward Island. Pheromone-based monitoring surveys are conducted annually in non-regulated areas of Canada. Surveys are also conducted to verify eradication of the insect in areas where eradication programs have been undertaken.

The flighted Spongy Moth Complex (Lymantria dispar asiatica, Lymantria dispar japonica, L. albescens, L. postalba and L. umbrosa) includes related species formerly grouped under the name Asian Gypsy Moth, and has been introduced into North America on several occasions, but eradication programs have prevented populations from establishing. This survey is being conducted in support of CFIA policy directive D -95-03: "Plant protection policy for marine vessels arriving in Canada from areas regulated for the Asian gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar, Lymantria albescens, Lymantria postalba, Lymantria umbrosa)". The flighted spongy moth complex is defined for regulatory purposes as those subspecies of Lymantria dispar in which the females are capable of sustained directed flight, whereas the Spongy moth (Lymantria dispar dispar) females are not capable of flight.

Rosy moth

The rosy moth (Lymantria mathura) is native to Asia and is found in the Russian Far East, Nepal, Japan, Korea, northern India, and parts of China. It feeds on a wide range of deciduous trees such as oak (Quercus), apple (Malus), pear (Pyrus), Prunus spp. and beech (Fagus). This moth is not known to be present in North America.

Nun moth

The nun moth (Lymantria monacha) is a serious defoliator of coniferous trees such as spruce (Picea), larch (Larix), fir (Abies), pine (Pinus) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga) but is also recorded to feed on deciduous trees like maple (Acer), birch (Betula), beech (Fagus), ash (Fraxinus), oak (Quercus), elm (Ulmus), apple (Malus) and other fruit trees. It is native to China, Japan, Korea, Russia, Turkey and Europe. It is not known to be present in North America.

Brown spruce longhorn beetle

The brown spruce longhorn beetle (Tetropium fuscum), an introduced wood boring pest, is native to north and central Europe and Japan, where it uses stressed and dying conifers as hosts, most notably Norway spruce (Picea abies). All species of spruce in Canada are at risk. In 1999, the beetle was detected in Point Pleasant Park, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and confirmed to have been present since at least 1990. The brown spruce longhorn beetle is considered to be a pest of quarantine significance in Canada and is regulated under the Plant Protection Act by the CFIA. The entire province of Nova Scotia is regulated for this pest.

Hemlock woolly adelgid

Hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) is a destructive pest of susceptible species of hemlock (Tsuga spp.) that is native to India, Japan, Taiwan, China and western North America. It was first reported in North America in British Columbia in 1919, and occurs in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California. HWA was first detected in the eastern United States in 1951. Since this time it has steadily spread and is now reported from 21 eastern states. In the eastern U.S., Hemlock woolly adelgid has resulted in significant mortality of both eastern hemlock, (T. canadensis) and Carolina hemlock, (T. caroliniana). This pest threatens the existence of these two species in many locations. In Canada it has been detected in western Nova Scotia and in southern Ontario.

Oak wilt

Oak wilt (Bretziella fagacearum) is a vascular wilt disease that is capable of killing trees in a single season. It was first recognized as an important forest pest in 1944 in Wisconsin and is now known to occur in 24 states within the U.S. In 2016, oak wilt was confirmed on Belle Isle (Michigan), in the middle of the Detroit River, less than 600 meters from Windsor, Ontario. This disease is not known to occur in Canada. Oak wilt is spread from diseased to healthy trees through root grafting, and by oak bark beetles and sap beetles. All oak species are susceptible to oak wilt, but red oaks are more frequently infected and can die quite quickly. The primary goal of this visual survey is early detection of the pest in areas where it is not known to occur.

Horticultural pests

Ramorum blight

Background: Since 2003, Ramorum blight (Phytophthora ramorum) has been detected in a number of retail/wholesale nurseries in the southern coastal area of British Columbia. The primary goal of this survey is to provide information on the national status of ramorum blight in Canadian nurseries. More specifically, monitoring of ramorum blight is required to support eradication programs and detect new infestations.

Oriental fruit moth

The oriental fruit moth (Grapholita molesta) is native to China and Korea. It was first detected in Ontario in 1925. It was intercepted and eradicated in 1957 in British Columbia and annual surveys since that time have been negative for this pest. The oriental fruit moth likely spreads to other countries in cocoons on dormant trees or in infested fruit. The main hosts are Prunus, Pyrus, Malus and Cydonia spp. This survey is done to confirm the pest-free status of British Columbia for export purposes.

Japanese beetle

The Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) has been present in Canada since 1939. This species of beetle affects more than 300 plant species, including many economically important plants such as fruit trees, ornamental shrubs and roses, field crops, turf grasses, and sod. In 2017, Japanese beetle was detected in Vancouver and a multi-collaborator eradication program has been ongoing since 2018. The trapping efforts in 2018 resulted in 8,276 beetles being caught. This number went down to 1,157 beetles in 2019, 214 beetles in 2020 and 79 beetles in 2021. In 2022, a total of 201 beetles were caught, most of them in the new satellite infestation in Port Coquitlam.

Blueberry maggot

The blueberry maggot (Rhagoletis mendax) is an indigenous pest of commercially grown lowbush and highbush blueberries in the Canadian Maritime Provinces. It is currently found in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and parts of Ontario and Quebec. It is not found in Newfoundland & Labrador or in western Canada.

Apple maggot

Apple maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella) is an indigenous pest of apples in Canada. The BC Interior is the last major apple growing area of North America free from this pest. The objective of this survey is the early detection of apple maggot in the pest-free area of the BC Interior. This survey is being conducted in support of policies and programs related to CFIA policy directive D-00-07: "Import and domestic phytosanitary requirements to prevent the introduction and spread of apple maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh))". In 2015, a single female apple maggot was detected in West Kelowna and in 2016 another single female was detected in the city of Kelowna. Despite increased surveillance from 2016 to 2019 apple maggot has not been detected since 2016.

Tobacco blue mold

Tobacco blue mold (Peronospora hyoscyami f.sp. tabacina) is a serious disease of solanaceous plants including tobacco, peppers, tomato and eggplant. Tobacco blue mold is only reported from Eastern Canada, although there was one report of the disease in Washington State in the 1950's. This pathogen is not known to overwinter in Canada but may be blown in as spores from the South Eastern US.

Plum pox virus

Plum pox virus is a serious plant disease that affects many stone fruit species within the genus Prunus, including peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, almonds and some ornamental varieties. Although it does not kill trees, it reduces the marketability of the fruit, causes early fruit drop in infected trees and drastically reduces fruit yields. Plum pox virus is present in the Niagara area.

Potato pests

Potato wart

Potato wart disease, also known as potato canker, is caused by Synchytrium endobioticum, a soil-borne fungus. Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is the only cultivated host. The fungus attacks the growing points on the potato plant, such as eyes, buds and stolon tips. The fungus can remain dormant in the soil for more than 40 years as resting spores. In Canada, potato wart is present in Prince Edward Island and in Newfoundland and Labrador. The national survey involves the collection of soil samples to detect potato wart outside its known distribution.

Invasive plants

Invasive plant survey priorities are established by the Invasive Alien Species and Domestic Plant Health Programs at the CFIA. For more information on these survey results or methods, contact the Invasive Alien Species and Domestic Plant Health Programs Section.

Seed and grain handling facilities

One of the major pathways of introduction of invasive alien plants into Canada is through contaminated lots of imported seed and grain. The main objectives of this survey are to detect new populations of the target plant species and to provide information in support of the development of regulatory policies on invasive alien plants. The priority species targeted for this survey are listed in Appendix 1 of CFIA policy directive D-12-01 "Phytosanitary Requirements to Prevent the Introduction of Plants Regulated as Pests in Canada".

Kudzu

Kudzu (Pueraria montana) is a climbing, semi-woody, perennial vine. It is a serious weed that can dominate landscapes, altering nutrient cycling and biodiversity as well as impacting the productivity of various industries (agriculture and forestry). Furthermore, the considerable tuberous root system makes control and eradication of this species very difficult. A 0.5 hectare population was observed in 2009 in Essex County, Ontario on the north shore of Lake Erie between Kingsville and Leamington. Eradication measures are in place and the population is being monitored on an ongoing basis. The main objective of this survey is early detection of kudzu in areas where it is not known to occur, focusing primarily on areas surrounding the only known population located in southern Ontario.

Japanese stiltgrass

Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) is an invasive plant found in a variety of habitats, including forests, wetlands and disturbed areas. This plant's prolific seed production and rapid growth helps it dominate entire habitats, edging out native vegetation. As it spreads, Japanese stiltgrass displaces nesting sites for birds and other wildlife. Economically, Japanese stiltgrass may also cost producers due to control costs and productivity losses. Native to Asia, this plant has been introduced into the United States and is found in Ohio, Pennsylvania and along the US Atlantic coast. Five populations have been confirmed in southern Ontario; two in Elgin County, one in Norfolk county, one in Waterloo region, and one in Niagara region. It has not been found in any other locations in Canada.

Other pests of concern

Box tree moth

The CFIA has been leading monitoring efforts to determine the distribution of box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis), working with community scientists and collaborators to deploy traps across Canada. In 2022, 424 pheromone traps were placed across Canada through collaborative efforts (Ontario: 203; Quebec: 15; New Brunswick: 3; British Columbia: 202). The 2022 surveillance efforts confirmed an expansion of the distribution of BTM to areas neighboring the infested zones adjacent to Lake Ontario, with isolated populations confirmed in Clarington, Guelph, Halton Region, King Township, Pelham Township, Simcoe County, Wainfleet Township in addition to two finds in Essex county.

European cherry fruit fly

In July 2022, the CFIA confirmed the presence of European cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis cerasi) in association with wild honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) shrubs and an ornamental Prunus sp. tree in two urban parks in Montreal, Quebec. The flies were detected as part of an ongoing, collaborative surveillance program between community scientists, research centers, and provincial and federal governments. In response to the first detection of R. cerasi in the province of Quebec, the CFIA will expand the area regulated for the pest.

Southern pine beetle

This bark beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis) is native to southern USA and Mexico. It now occurs in northeastern USA, likely as a result of these environments becoming more suitable due to climate change. As it has been detected in Maine, New Hampshire and north of the latitudinal mid-point of New York, a multi-partner, collaborative survey occurred in Ontario (6 traps), Quebec (12 traps), New Brunswick (10 traps) and Nova Scotia (9 traps) in 2022. Twelve unit, black Lindgren funnel traps baited with ultra-high release turpentine, frontalin and endo-brevicomin were set in each province from September to October. Southern pine beetle (SPB) was not detected.

About us