Spotted lanternfly is not established in Canada – yet

As of May 2025, according to Meghan Vankosky on the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network (PPMN), spotted lanternfly is not established in Canada. However, infestations are now observed in the United States close to the Canada-US border. As a CFIA-regulated pest, all sightings should be reported.

For spotted lanternfly, egg laying occurs in late summer and through the fall until it gets too cold. Hatching in the spring, spotted lanternfly displays as four nymphal instars that develop through spring and summer. Adults are active in mid- to late summer. “Spotted lanternfly adults and nymphs are generalists and are known to feed on over 100 different host plants,” says the report by Vankosky.

To help prevent this pest, the report recommends visually inspecting trees and plants for spotted lanternfly egg masses, nymphs and adults. For those who have travelled to areas of the US where spotted lanternfly is established, the recommendation is to thoroughly inspect your vehicle; look for eggs on smooth surfaces.