Plant pest cards

Hosts: chives, garlic, leeks, onions, shallots, wild garlic

Image features an allium with the pupa (brown shaped like a rice grain) and larva (creamy white and the size of a grain of rice) feeding on the allium.

Images of the Adult, egg laying scars larval feeding and pupa on a leek stem.

Photo credits: T. Canmer (OMAFA), L.Barringer (PA Dept. of Ag,. Bugwood.org, B. McAuley

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

The adult is about 5 to 6 mm long and has four irregular or zig-zag black bands on the wings. The legless larvae are usually 6.5 to 8 mm long and 1.5 to 2 mm wide, cream-coloured, and consist of 11 apparent segments.

Signs of apple maggot activity in fruit include dimpling and maggot tunneling.

Help prevent the spread of Apple maggot! Please do not move fruit containers, fresh fruit, soil or apple trees into tree fruit production areas including, Okanagan, Similkameen, and Creston Valleys.

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

Photo Credits: CFIA, Blair Stirling, (H.J. Larsen, J. Berger: Bugwood.org)

Adults are large shiny black beetles measuring 20 to 30 mm in length and 7 to 12 mm wide. There are up to 20 irregular white spots on each elytron. There is one prominent spine on each side of the black thorax. The antennae are longer than the body and consist of 11 black segments with a white or whitish blue base. The legs are black and have a bluish tinge.

Signs of Asian longhorned beetle include exits holes (6 to 12 mm wide), egg laying sites (about 10 mm wide), and frass (sawdust and wood shavings occurs in piles around the base of the tree or in branch forks).

Photo Credits: B. Gill, T. Poiré

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

The adult fly is approximately 4.5 millimetres in length with a wingspan of about 8 millimetres. The wings display a brown banding pattern while the black abdomen is marked with white cross bands. The legless, whitish-coloured larvae are up to 8 millimetres in length.

The primary host of the blueberry maggot is blueberry, both high and low bush. Other suitable hosts include Hillside blueberry, Deerberry and Huckleberry.

Infested fields will have an abundance of fruit on the ground. Puncture holes will be visible on the skin of berries. Collapsed berries will also be common.

Photo Credits: Joseph Moisan-De Serres (MAPAQ), Pierre Lemoyne (AAFC), Jerry A. Payne (USDA-ARS)

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

Adults are described as medium-sized moths with a wing span of about 4 cm. The more common variant has white coloured wings with thick dark brown border trimmings. Eggs, which are laid in clusters, are greenish yellow in colour when first laid. Black dots start to show as the larval head capsule is forming.

Cydalima perspectalis is primarily a pest of Buxus plant species (Family Buxaceae)

Damage to boxwood plants is caused by the larvae feeding primarily on leaves and sometimes on the bark. Infested plants are disfigured by the loss of leaves and by the webbing spun by the larvae. Younger larvae feed by eating the lower surfaces of the leaves only, leaving the upper epidermis intact. Older larvae feed inside the webbing and skeletonize the leaves, leaving only the midribs, and occasionally the outer margin intact.

Photo Credits: D. Beadle, V. Voe, C. Manci, K. Yukich, J. Llewellyn – OMAFRA

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

The brown spruce longhorn beetle attacks spruce trees.

Adult beetles have a flattened body, 10 to 15 mm long. The head is black or dark brown, with a deep longitudinal groove between the antennae. The head is also covered with long, light-coloured hairs. Their eyes are completely divided. The slender antennae are half the length of the body and are reddish brown. The pronotum bulges laterally. The elytra are tan, brown, or reddish-brown with 2 or 3 longitudinal grooves. The legs are dark brown or reddish-brown.

Signs include exits holes (4 to 6 mm in diameter), excessive white resin on tree trunk, and larval galleries.

Photo Credits: R. Neville (CFIA), J. Sweeney, S. Sopow, K. Harrison (CFS)

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

the elm zigzag sawfly, is an invasive leaf eater causing defoliation that can attack elm hosts at any age or stage of development. It is 10 mm in length

Images feature the zigzag feeding from leaf margin inward, leaving mid-rib intact, the net-like cacoons under leaves and a defoliated elm branch.

Photo credits: D. Doychev (University of Forestry, Sofia), O. Morin (CFIA), V. Martel (NRCan)

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

Adult beetles are metallic blue-green, narrow, hairless, elongate, 8.5 to 14.0 mm long and 3.1 to 3.4 mm wide.

Signs of emerald ash borer include D-shaped exit holes (3.5 by 4.1 mm in size), S-shaped larval galleries that are filled with a fine brownish frass, and ash decline.

Photo Credits: T. Kimoto, B. Lyons

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

The adult is 3.5 to 4 mm long and predominantly black in colour. The wings are transparent, with characteristic dark crossbands. The scutellum of the thorax is yellow. Hosts include cherry and honeysuckle.

Signs of European cherry fruit fly include maggots in fruit, brown, rotting fruit, and maggot exit holes in cherries.

Photo Credits: R. Coutin (OPIE), C. Daniel (FiBL), www.entomart.be, J. Grunder (ZHAW)

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

Adult description: green body and wings and wings without markings. The front wings are pale-green or yellow-green; rear wings are brownish-gray to grayish; both wings have a white, frayed outer edge. The wingspan is approximately 18 to 23 mm. The head is yellowish and adults have a grayish, 8 mm long abdomen.

Not known to occur in Canada.

Hosts: oak (main), maple, birch, beech, poplar and blue-beech.

Larvae feed in rolled leaf shelters.

Photo Credits: G. Csoka, M. Talbot, T. Gilligan (Bugwood.org)

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

Flighted spongy moth complex (FSMC) (Lymantria albescens, Lymantria umbrosa, Lymantria postalba, Lymantria dispar japonica and Lymantria dispar asiatica) egg masses are 2 to 4 cm long. They are gold to dark brown in colour, with fine hairs covering the eggs.

The female FSMC is large in size. They range from white to light grey in colour, with black markings on the wings.

Find, remove and destroy FSMC egg mass.

Inspect and report all sightings in Canada on vessels, cargo, and containers.

Photo Credits: CFIA

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

Hemlock woolly adelgid is an aphid-like insect that attacks and kills hemlock trees. Its egg sacs, which look like small cotton balls or hailstones, can be found at the base of needles.

Photo Credits: J. Van Driesche, L. Graney & C. Evans, (Bugwood.org), E. Appleton

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

Stop the spread of invasive pests. Pests can travel when we do. Think of them as Canada's worst hitchhikers – they use our vehicles, trailers, soil, dirty footwear, furniture, camping equipment and more to spread from one region to another. Before you go somewhere, check for weeds, seeds, insect larvae, eggs, and adults like beetles, moths and others.

Spot it, snap it and trap it: capture a photo or insect life stage.

Photo Credits: J. Asher (BLM), L. Barringer (PDA), R. Haskell (UoF), D. Holden (CFIA), PDA, USDA

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

Adult: Oval outline from above, almost 10 mm long and 6 mm wide, abdomen, thorax and head metallic green with metallic copper-brown wing coverings and contrasting 12 white tufts of hair along the sides and rear of the abdomen.

Larva: a typical C-shaped creamy white grub with a yellowish-brown head (20 mm).

Signs of Japanese beetle include skeletonized foliage and dead grass caused by larval feeding.

Photo credits: J. Baker, D. Cappaert, S. Katovich (Bugwood.org), CFIA.

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

Japanese stiltgrass is an invasive grass found in a variety of habitats but most often found in moist, shaded areas. Plants sprawl and are freely branched, growing up to 1 m in height. The leaves are about 7 cm long, tapered at both ends and have a distinct shiny midrib. The plants produce flowers and seeds in mid to late autumn. Leaves may turn purplish in late autumn and the dead, straw-coloured stems persist through winter.

Where to look: parks, trails, roadsides, pastures, forests, disturbed areas, areas with established deer populations.

Photo Credits: Erin Appleton (CFIA), Leslie J. Mehrhoff, U. of Connecticut, Chris Evans, U. of Illinois, David J. Moorhead, U. of Georgia

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

An adult khapra beetle is brown or black, approximately 1.6 to 3 mm long by 0.9 to 1.7 mm wide, and is covered with hair. Larvae are approximately 1.6 to 1.88 mm long, yellowish white with brown hairs covering the head and body.

Pest of stored products: grains, seeds, other dried product.

Not know to occur in Canada.

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

Photo Credits: J. Young, N. Wright, Ministry of Agriculture & Regional Development Archive, (Bugwood.org), J. Holmes

Kudzu is a perennial, climbing vine with hairy twining stems that can grow 10 to 30 m in length. Its lobed leaves are composed of 3 leaflets (each 7 to 20 cm long). Kudzu flowers are clustered, fragrant, reddish-purple, and pea-like in appearance (flowers: mid to late summer).

Where to look: abandoned fields, pastures, tree plantations, roadsides, riverbanks, urban areas.

Photo Credits: L. Mehrhoff (U. of Connecticut), M. Oldham (OMNR), R. Wallace (U. of Georgia), K. Castro (CFIA)

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

Leaves turn dull green, brown or yellow. Discoloration progresses from leaf margin to midrib. Premature leaf fall may occur.

Bark cracks caused by pressure pads. Pressure pads form under bark and emit a fruity smell.

Photo Credits: Iowa State University, Julie Holmes (CFIA), Minnesota DNR, Steven Katovich (USDA-FS)

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

Hosts: peach, apricot, plum, nectarine.

Signs of plum pox virus include mottled yellow rings, patches and lines on fruit, yellow spots or rings on leaves.

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

Photo Credits: CFIA 

Potato wart is a soil-borne fungus that attacks potato plants. It deforms the tubers and reduces crop yield. Potato wart does not pose a risk to either humans or animals. The disease appears mostly on underground plant parts, except the roots. Stems, stolons (runners), and tubers can all become infected when the fungus is present in the soil. The infection leads to the formation of abnormal lumpy growths, known as galls or "warts", from which the disease gets its name. A slight reduction in overall plant health may sometimes be seen in infected plants

Prevent the spread. Don't' move contaminated soil or infected tubers.

Photo credits: CFIA 

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

Adult beetles are 22 to 38 mm in length and completely glossy black in colour except for the red thorax, which bears a stout, spine-like process on each side. The glossy appearance and the spine-like process on the thorax make it different from native species. Like other longhorned beetles, the antennae are as long as (females) or longer (males) than the body.

Hosts: cherry, plum, peach, apricot, poplar.

Not known to occur in Canada.

Larval galleries are 17 to 22 cm long under the bark of the trunk or along branches. Large coarse fibrous debris (frass) may be pushed out and can occur around the base of the tree.

Photo Credits: D. Benchi, B. Espinosa, R. Griffo 

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

Feeding by red pine scale results in twig dieback and causes needles to lose their typically green colour.  Affected needles turn from green to yellow and then to red.  Fist affecting individual branches and then spreading to the entire crown.

Masses of cottony white filaments can be seen on branches.

Photo Credits: J. Wheeler (National Park Service), B. Helprin (Somes-Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary)

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

Lymantria mathura Moore are moderately-sized, hairy and heavy-bodied. The females bear a thick anal tuft of scale hairs and the last three abdominal segments are extended. The hind wings of the female are pink, those of the male are yellow; female wing-span is about 80 mm, that of male about 45 mm. The larvae are stout-bodied with prominent bristles. The larvae are peculiar in having one pair of anterior and two pairs of posterior hair pencils (long hair tufts). Pupae are medium brown with white hairs on the first abdominal segment.

Hosts: birch, oak, apple, sumac, pear, chestnut, flowering cherry.

Not known to occur in Canada. To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

Photo Credits: D. Mohn (Bugwood.org), D. Holden

Adult males are brown with dark, crescent-shaped mark on the forewing. The wing span is 35 to 40 mm. Adult females are mainly white with dark, crescent-shaped mark on the forewing. The wing span is 55 to 70 mm. Caterpillars normally have 5 pairs of blue tubercles followed by 6 pairs of red. Pupae may be found attached by silken thread to branches, tree trunks, rocks, forest debris, buildings or fences. Egg masses are approximately 30 to 60 mm long and 20 to 30 mm wide and are covered with tan coloured hairs.

Green insect traps placed on trees should not be disturbed.

Dear home owner,

We have placed an insect trap in your area to detect spongy moth, a non-native, serious tree pest. Please help us keep this unwanted pest from invading your neighbourhood by not disturbing the trap. If you have questions regarding this trap and our survey we would be happy to help you.

Photo Credits: CFIA, Pennsylvania D.C. & N.R. – Bugwood.org 

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

Adults are approximately 20 to 26 mm long and 12 mm wide. They have uniquely-coloured wings: the front wings are light brown/grey with black spots at the front and dark speckled bands near the back. The rear wings are red in colour and have black spots near the front and white and black bands at the back. The abdomen is yellow with horizontal black stripes. Early stage nymphs are black and white, while later stage nymphs are black, white and red.

Hosts: grape, tree-of-heaven, willow, apple, pine, stone fruit.

Signs include grey or black weeping wounds on host plants and yellowish-white mold patches occurring at the base of the tree. Newly laid egg masses are brown in colour and covered in a grey, waxy coating.

Photo Credits: L. Barringer & H. Raguza (Bugwood.org), E. Wachmann, Itchydogimages

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

The small black beetles become active in the spring during sunny weather and when soil temperatures reach 10 to 14°C. In the first 2 to 3 weeks, weevils feed on strawberry leaves, chewing small round holes in them. Larvea primarily develop inside flower buds causing clipped and damaged flower buds.

Hosts: strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, rose

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

Photo Credits: Warren H. L. Wong (UBC & AAFC), D. Holden (CFIA)

Adult: 10 mm long, filiform antennae, silverish-grey scales, black spots on anterior wings.

Signs include leaf, tomato, and stem mines. Have you seen this damage on a tomato?

Photo Credits: M. van der Straten, A. Minuto, J.M. Cobos Suarez (EPPO)

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species

The flowers are bright yellow and are ringed with long, sharp spines. It has lobed lower leaves (5 to 15 cm long). The plants are grayish-green with many stiff stems (up to 2 m tall) and are covered with fine white hairs. It has narrow upper leaves and winged steams.

Flowers: early summer to late fall.

Where to look: grasslands, rangelands, pastures, fields, croplands, dry, sunny, open sites, roadsides and disturbed areas.

Photo Credits: S. Dewey (Utah State University), M. Harte (Bugwood.org), P. Greb, C. Turner (USDA ARS)

To report and learn more: Stop Invasive Species