D-24-01: Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) – Domestic and import phytosanitary requirements

Effective date: October 2, 2025 (February 1, 2026, for importing logs of deciduous species)

This directive describes the phytosanitary import requirements for nursery stock and logs of deciduous species with bark from regulated areas of the continental United States (U.S.) to prevent the introduction of spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) into Canada. This directive also outlines the domestic requirements for these same articles moving from regulated to non-regulated areas in Canada to prevent the spread of this pest to non-infested areas.

At the time of writing this directive, spotted lanternfly is not known to occur in Canada. However, due to its close proximity to the Canadian border and the volume of trade and traffic with infested areas of the United States, both import and domestic requirements have been included in this directive in anticipation of arrival and establishment. The domestic requirements outlined in this directive are not currently in effect; they will be implemented once a regulated area is established in Canada.

On this page

• 1. Legislative authority
• 2. Definitions, abbreviations and acronyms
• 3. Introduction
• 4. Scope
  • 4.1 Regulated pest
  • 4.2 Regulated articles
  • 4.3 Regulated articles with specific phytosanitary documentation requirements that may also need to be part of the SLF program
  • 4.4 Regulated areas
• 5. Specific phytosanitary documentation requirements
  • 5.1 Logs of deciduous species with bark attached
  • 5.2 Nursery stock
• 6. Non-compliance
• 7. References
  • 7.1 Fees
  • 7.2 Supporting links
• Appendix 1: Regulated areas
• Appendix 2: Approved methods of treatment for importation of logs of deciduous species with bark
• Appendix 3: Spotted lanternfly program (for a facility not participating in GCP, CNCP or CNCI Clean Plants)
• Appendix 4: Application for the spotted lanternfly program
• Appendix 5: Lycorma delicatula (spotted lanternfly) pest module

1. Legislative authority

• Plant Protection Act (S.C. 1990, c. 22)
• Plant Protection Regulations (SOR/95-212)
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice, Canada Gazette, Part I (as amended from time to time)
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act (S.C. 1995, c. 40)
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations (SOR/2000-187)

2. Definitions, abbreviations and acronyms

Definitions of terms used in this document can be found in the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures 5: Glossary of phytosanitary terms or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA's) Plant Health Glossary of Terms.

The term "import permit" indicates a Permit to Import Plants and Other Things under the Plant Protection Act

Additional terms specific to the purpose of this directive are defined in this section for the benefit of the reader.

Deciduous

For the purpose of this directive "deciduous" includes Acer, Betula, Fagus, Populus, Quercus, Salix and all other non-coniferous species.

Nursery stock

For the purpose of this directive "nursery stock" is defined as any propagative woody plant material, both rooted and unrooted. Example, woody trees, vines and shrubs.

Preventive Control Plan (PCP)

a written document that describes a combination of control measures that, when taken as a whole, provide for a science-based approach to managing risks posed by hazards and contribute to achieving compliance with regulatory requirements.

3. Introduction

The spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, is an invasive pest which is native to China, India, Taiwan and Vietnam.

It has been steadily expanding its range in the eastern and north-eastern United States (U.S.) since its initial detection in Pennsylvania in 2014 and was detected close to the Canadian border in Buffalo, New York and Pontiac, Michigan in the fall of 2022.

Spotted lanternfly is a large, visually distinctive planthopper which can feed on a wide variety of hosts, such as tree-of-heaven, grapevines, maple, walnut and other hardwood tree species.

Given its wide host range, it is predicted to be a major pest for Canada's grape and wine industry with the potential to negatively impact the nursery, fruit tree and forestry sectors.

Spotted lanternfly is a pest of plants and spends the majority of its time on plant material, mainly the trunks of trees. It can be introduced to Canada through various pathways, including the movement of plant commodities such as nursery stock and deciduous species of logs with bark. In addition to woody plant material, SLF may lay eggs on almost anything ranging from natural objects such as stone to manufactured objects of any kind including conveyances, shipping containers, plant pots and household goods.

Due to the proximity of the pest and the numerous possible pathways of entry, the risk of introduction to Canada is considered very high. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has implemented phytosanitary measures on nursery stock and logs of deciduous species with bark to mitigate the risk of its entry and spread in Canada. The CFIA continues to focus on outreach strategies to raise awareness of pest identification and mitigation strategies with importers, the transportation sector and the general public.

4. Scope

4.1 Regulated pest

Lycorma delicatula (White)
Common name: spotted lanternfly

4.2 Regulated articles

All things moving (imported or moved domestically) from a regulated area to an unregulated area must be free from all life stages of spotted lanternfly prior to being moved. This includes, but is not limited to, the items these listed:

• nursery stock (woody trees, vines and shrubs)
• logs with bark attached
• outdoor household articles
• conveyances of any type including commercial, personal and recreational vehicles and equipment
• ornamental stone or concrete
• outdoor industrial and construction equipment
• shipping and storage containers
• debarked wood products (which carry less than 2% surface bark on average, with no single unit of wood having more than 5% surface bark)
• kiln dried and commercially processed wood products
• bark, branches and wreaths, with or without foliage, fresh or dried Christmas trees
• firewood

Note: requirements for these articles may exist in other directives. Consult the list of all Plant Health directives or the CFIA's Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) for more information.

4.3 Regulated articles with specific phytosanitary documentation requirements that may also need to be part of the SLF program

• nursery stock (woody trees, vines and shrubs)
• logs of deciduous species with bark attached

4.4 Regulated areas

Areas of the U.S. and Canada regulated for spotted lanternfly as listed in Appendix 1.

Note: spotted lanternfly is not yet known to occur in Canada. There are currently no areas in Canada regulated for SLF.

5. Specific phytosanitary documentation requirements

The following sub-sections provide a summary of import and domestic movement requirements, related to spotted lanternfly, for logs of deciduous species with bark and nursery stock.

Where a Permit to Import is required, requests can be made through the Agency's online service portal, My CFIA. For those without access to My CFIA a completed application (CFIA/ACIA form 5256) needs to be submitted to the CFIA Permit Office identified on the Application for Permit to Import, prior to importation. The issuance of a Permit to Import may be contingent upon approval of the facility by the CFIA and compliance of the facility with the terms and conditions of this directive.

All articles regulated for spotted lanternfly are subject to CFIA inspection.

5.1 Logs of deciduous species with bark attached

5.1.1 Import requirements from the U.S.

This spotted lanternfly directive applies to logs of deciduous species with bark entering Canada. There may be additional requirements for specific species. Use AIRS to determine the import requirements which must be met or contact a local CFIA office for additional information.

5.1.2 Domestic requirements

All logs of deciduous species with bark in areas of Canada regulated for spotted lanternfly must be accompanied by a Movement Certificate issued by a CFIA inspector before moving into non-regulated areas of Canada.

5.2 Nursery stock

5.2.1 Import requirements from the continental U.S.

There may be additional requirements for nursery stock entering Canada. Use AIRS to determine the import requirements. Plants for planting may also be subject to additional requirements under other directives or as specified on the Permit to Import (if required). The requirements described in this section are specific to Lycorma delicatula.

5.2.2 Domestic requirements

6. Non-compliance

Regulated articles are subject to inspection by the CFIA and for imports, must meet all requirements prior to arrival at their first point of entry into Canada and domestically, prior to leaving a regulated area in Canada.

The party in care and control of non-compliant articles is responsible for all costs relating to treatment, disposal, removal of the articles from Canada or return to a regulated area, including costs incurred by the CFIA to monitor the action taken.

Violations of this directive, the Plant Protection Act or Plant Protection Regulations may be subject to compliance and enforcement actions, including monetary penalties. The CFIA will follow the guiding principles in its Compliance and Enforcement Policy when: informing regulated parties, assessing and monitoring compliance and responding to instances of non-compliance.

The CFIA will advise the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of the country of origin or re-exporting country of non-compliance as per directive D-01-06: Canadian phytosanitary policy for the notification of non-compliance and emergency action, as appropriate.

Non-compliant articles: those in care or control of a non-compliant article may be required to destroy or remove the consignment from Canada (for imported articles) or to return to a regulated area in Canada (for domestically sourced articles). Non-compliant articles may require treatment prior to destruction or removal from Canada or return to a regulated area.

Non-compliant facilities: facilities found to be in non-compliance with their PCP or Import Conditions may require corrective action, may be suspended or removed from the program, have valid Movement Certificates revoked or have their Import Permit revoked.

7. References

7.1 Fees

The CFIA charges fees in accordance with the CFIA Fees Notice. For information regarding fees, contact your local CFIA office or visit the CFIA's Fees Notice website.

7.2 Supporting links

• Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) – Fact sheet
• RMD–22-03: Pest Risk Management Decision Document: Risk management for spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula White)
• D-04-01: Canadian Nursery Certification Program (CNCP)
• D-16-02: Administration of the United States – Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program
• D-01-06: Canadian phytosanitary policy for the notification of non-compliance and emergency action

Appendix 1: Regulated areas

For deciduous species of logs with bark, the areas of the United States regulated for spotted lanternfly include:

• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• West Virginia

This list may change at any time based on new information

For nursery stock: all of the continental United States.

Appendix 2: Approved methods of treatment for importation of logs of deciduous species with bark

The following treatments are approved as an option to meet import requirements with a phytosanitary certificate from the U.S. as outlined in section 5.1.1

1. Fumigation

The material must be fumigated with methyl bromide at normal atmospheric pressure, at the rate of

Or

2. Heat treatment

The material must be heat treated to attain a minimum core temperature of 56°C for 30 minutes. For imported material, the heat treatment process must be verified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), in accordance with the American Lumber Standard Committee (USDA-ALSC) Heat Treatment Program for Export.

Appendix 3: Spotted lanternfly program (for a facility not participating in GCP, CNCP or CNCI Clean Plants)

Note: facilities participating in the Canadian Nursery Certification Program (CNCP) and the United States – Canada Greenhouse-Grown Certification Program (GCP) may implement the CFIA accepted pest module for SLF provided in the appendix 5 of this directive in lieu of participation in the SLF program. Facilities participating in the Canadian Nursery Certification Institute (CNCI) Clean Plants Program may implement the SLF certification program available through the CNCI program. All pest modules must include spotted lanternfly risk mitigation measures that meet or exceed the following requirements.

Audit frequency

Note that an on-site assessment is required for facilities that are in the CNCI Clean Plants Program and for facilities enrolled in the SLF Program. The inspector must verify that the facility has effectively implemented the pest module or the PCP. This requirement is in addition to the twice yearly on-site preventive control inspections, which verify that the elements of the PCP/pest module are being met. For facilities on CNCP or GCP, on-site assessment and preventive control inspections are conducted as part of the onsite audit frequencies of the program.

Preventive Control Plan: development, amendments and verification

A facility not already on a systems approach program for SLF must develop, implement and maintain a preventive control plan (PCP). A PCP describes a systems-based approach implemented by a facility that focuses on prevention as a way to achieve compliance. For more information on the PCP process, refer to the Integrated Agency Inspection Model.

Once the PCP has been developed, it must be submitted along with the application in Appendix 4 to the local CFIA office. The CFIA will review the PCP and inspect the facility to confirm the ability of the facility to follow the written procedures. Additional actions by the facility may be required by local CFIA office before the plan is accepted by the CFIA.

The PCP should be reviewed on an ongoing basis (minimum annually) by the facility staff to ensure that the procedures and processes effectively address the risk associated with spotted lanternfly. If changes affecting the delivery of the program are made, the PCP must be reviewed and accepted by the CFIA.

The facility must have a designated primary contact who serves as the designated contact point to the CFIA for the SLF program and is the individual responsible for ensuring that the PCP is adhered to. A PCP will be implemented and verified through inspection of regulated articles by the regulated party and oversight by CFIA. For all facilities operating under a PCP, the CFIA will review the PCP and conduct an on-site preventative control inspection at least twice annually to confirm that the elements of the PCP can be met, with minimum one inspection occurring during the active period of the pest. During the facility inspection the CFIA inspector shall confirm the compliance of the facility through visual inspection, interviews with staff and examination of records.

For further information on the inspection process, contact your local CFIA office.

Domestic movement

Domestic movement of regulated articles with specific phytosanitary requirements outside of a regulated area in Canada will be permitted only in writing under the authority of a CFIA inspector. The movement will be authorized through the issuance of a Movement Certificate (MC).

PCP elements

Facilities moving nursery stock out of an SLF regulated area must develop, implement, and maintain a PCP that includes the following elements.

Appendix 4: Application for the spotted lanternfly program

Submit the completed application form along with a copy of the PCP to your local CFIA office.

Applicant information

• Facility name:
• Primary contact: (individual responsible for the PCP):
• Address:
• Telephone:
• Email address:

The applicant agrees to adhere to all conditions outlined in the PCP developed for the facility to meet the requirements of the spotted lanternfly program.

• Applicant's signature of acceptance
  • Date:
• CFIA inspector/officer signature of approval
  • Date:

Appendix 5: Lycorma delicatula (spotted lanternfly) pest module

Pest modules are required to enable trade when there is a regulated pest and there are plants in production that could be a pathway for the regulated pests.

The following sections of the pest module should be used to describe the specific measures to prevent the introduction of SLF at your facility. These measures are in addition to the measures already in place at a facility within the systems approach framework. Alternate measures implemented by the facility to mitigate identified risks must be detailed within the pest module and require acceptance by the CFIA. The CFIA may accept or reject the proposed pest module or may conditionally accept the proposal if additional conditions specified by the CFIA are implemented.

Attach a map of your facility that illustrates the farm locations and specific blocks where host plants will be produced that require certification under this module (the specific blocks/fields or farm locations, as well as identifying the border areas). Your current CNCP/GCP/Clean Plants maps may already include this information.

Use these sections to describe your facility's measures to prevent the introduction and spread of SLF. Check all the boxes that apply and provide details where applicable. Additional measures and details are required in areas where there is increased risk.

Our facility verifies that this application is accurate and represents the activities and/or measures in place at our facility to prevent the spread of this pest. A signature is not required if the form is submitted electronically.