Plant health survey report for 2023-2024

ISSN: 2563-0261

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 are collected between April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024.

Survey results

• Forest pests
  • Emerald ash borer
  • Spongy moth and flighted spongy moth complex
  • Brown spruce longhorn beetle
  • Hemlock woolly adelgid
  • Red pine scale
  • Oak wilt
  • Asian longhorned beetle
  • Invasive alien forest insects
• Horticulture pests
  • Japanese beetle
  • Ramorum blight
  • Blueberry maggot
  • Apple maggot
  • Plum pox virus
  • Tobacco blue mold
  • Box tree moth
• Invasive plants
  • Japanese stiltgrass
  • Seed and grain handling facilities
• Potato pests
  • Potato wart
  • Potato cyst nematode
• Other pests of concern
  • Spotted lanternfly
• About us

Forest pests

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 emerald ash borer is present in areas where it is not known to occur in order to provide information in support of regulatory decisions.

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 D-95-03: "Plant protection policy for marine vessels arriving in Canada from areas regulated for AGM (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.

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

The Hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) is a destructive pest of susceptible species of hemlock (Tsuga spp.). 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. The pest 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., It has resulted in significant mortality of both eastern hemlock, (T. canadensis) and Carolina hemlock, (T. caroliniana) and threatens the existence of these 2 species in many locations. In Canada it has been detected in western Nova Scotia and in southern Ontario.

Red pine scale

The red pine scale (Matsucoccus matsumurae) is a destructive pest of susceptible species of pine that is native to Japan and introduced into China, South Korea, Europe, and the United States. It was first reported in North America in 1949 in Connecticut, but has since spread to Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Red pine scale kills red pine (Pinus resinosa) trees of all ages within a few years of infestation.

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. 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 survey is the early detection of the pest in areas where it is not known to occur.

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.

Invasive alien forest insects

The invasive alien species forest pest surveys are pathway-based surveys designed to detect a broad range of wood borers and bark beetles. The surveys focus on urban areas where the risk of invasive alien insect introductions via 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 provides an early warning of the presence of potentially invasive pests in Canada as well as valuable information on the diversity of Canada's insect fauna.

Horticulture pests

Japanese beetle

The Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) has been present in Canada since its first detection in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, in 1939. This pest 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, British Colombia, and a multi-collaborator eradication program has been ongoing since 2018. The trapping efforts in 2018 resulted in the collection of 8,276 beetles. This number went down, following yearly treatments, to 1,157 (2019), 214 (2020) and 79 (2021). In 2022, a total of 201 beetles were caught, most of them in a new satellite infestation in Port Coquitlam, British Colombia. In 2023, most beetles were again found in the new satellite infestation in Port Coquitlam.

Ramorum blight

Phytophthora ramorum is a plant pathogen that causes a disease known as Ramorum blight on a wide variety of nursery plants. It has also been associated with a disease of oak, known as "Sudden Oak Death", that was first observed in coastal California in the mid-1990's. Since 2003, Ramorum blight 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 this disease in Canadian nurseries. More specifically, monitoring of Ramorum blight is required to support eradication programs and detect new infestations.

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 to maintain 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.

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.

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 Southeastern US.

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. Volunteers with boxwood in key areas were recruited via social media and collaborator networks. The 2023 monitoring program expanded in response to new detections, using additional pheromone traps to assess for adult box tree moth presence nationally. Traps were distributed to volunteer community scientists in support of this objective, with CFIA enhancing efforts in key areas as needed.

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.

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. Seven populations have been confirmed in southern Ontario: two in Elgin County, two in Norfolk County, one in Waterloo region, and two in Niagara region. It has not been found in any other locations in Canada.

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. See the list of priority species targeted for this survey.

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 purpose of this survey is to monitor for the presence of Synchytrium endobioticum outside of Newfoundland and Labrador and PEI restricted fields. This survey is in addition to any sampling and analysis associated with potato wart restricted fields in PEI.

Potato cyst nematode

Golden nematode and pale cyst nematode are two species of potato cyst nematode (PCN) that are quarantine pests in Canada. If left unmanaged, they can reduce yields of potatoes and other host crops such as tomatoes and eggplants by up to 80 percent. These pests infest the soil and are very difficult to eradicate because they can persist, dormant in the soil, for several decades. They do not pose a risk to human health. Both of these quarantine potato cyst nematodes have been confirmed in 65 countries worldwide, including the United States and Canada.

Other pests of concern

Spotted lanternfly

The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is a colourful insect native to Asia that has been recognized as a potential threat to the grape, fruit tree and forestry industries in Canada. It was first detected in North America in Pennsylvania in September 2014. It is not known to be present in Canada and in 2018 it was added to the regulated pest list to prevent its introduction from infested areas.

About us