The focus of this workshop is the spotted lanternfly, an invasive pest spreading in nearby U.S. states. Although not currently established in Canada, if spotted lanternfly were to establish, it could cause immense damage to Ontario grapevines, tender fruit orchards, hops, parks, and forests. Presented by the Invasive Species Centre, this workshop will provide training on key information and tools to identify and report spotted lanternfly and its preferred plant host, tree-of-heaven, an invasive plant that is widespread throughout southern Ontario.
Dr. Wendy McFadden-Smith, Horticulture IPM Specialist at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), will be discussing OMAFRA’s spotted lanternfly traps and monitoring efforts.
This in-person workshop is free of cost and is being delivered on two different dates (as the same content will be covered in both, it is not necessary to attend both workshops). Advance registration is required at the links below. Capacity is 45 people per workshop so secure your place as soon as possible!
Participants will gain the following:
- an understanding of what makes a species invasive,
- knowledge of the impacts of spotted lanternfly and the importance of prevention, early detection and rapid response,
- knowledge of basic spotted lanternfly biology and life cycle, and pathways of spread,
- tips and tools to identify and report spotted lanternfly and tree-of-heaven, and
- updates on current monitoring efforts in Ontario.
