Unfortunately, prairie canola farmers are very familiar with striped and crucifer flea beetles and the damage they cause.
Striped (above) and crucifer (below) flea beetles and damage symptoms caused by these beetles to the foliage of brassica plants. Both species are established and often are considered pests in Canadian agroecosystems. Photographed by Meghan Vankosky, AAFC-Saskatoon.
In Europe, the cabbage stem flea beetle (Psylliodes chrysocephalus) is known as the most serious pest of oilseed rape, especially winter oilseed rape. Cabbage stem flea beetle can also affect the yield and marketability of brassica vegetables (e.g., kale, cabbage). Managing cabbage stem flea beetles in the United Kingdom is challenging because this species is resistant to pyrethroid insecticides and neonicotinoids are no longer registered for use in Europe.
Cabbage stem flea beetle is not established in Canada.
Cabbage stem beetle can be extremely damaging to brassica crops and can be very difficult to manage. As a result, it is important that we prevent cabbage stem flea beetle from becoming established in Canada.
Life cycle in United Kingdom: Adults of the cabbage stem flea beetle emerge from the pupal stage in early summer (June-July). At this time, adults consume foliage of the host plant. When temperatures are hot in August, adult cabbage stem flea beetles undergo a period of ‘rest’ or aestivation (i.e., summer diapause). Once temperatures have moderated, adults disperse back to the oilseed rape crops from their aestivation sites, continue to feed on host plant leaves and begin to mate.
Egg laying occurs from September to December. As long as temperatures remain above 3°C, eggs will hatch and larval feeding will occur between October and February. The larvae of cabbage stem flea beetles feed in the petioles of the host plant leaves and in the stems of the plants. Larval feeding reduces the vigour of the plants; severe infestations can result in yield losses and plant death. Larval feeding damage increases in March and April when temperatures increase in spring then pupate in the soil near their host plant in May. Adults begin to emerge in June, and the cycle repeats.
Brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, is invasive to North America. It is not established in the prairie provinces of Canada. Brown marmorated stink bug is established in regions of British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec.
An adult brown marmorated stink bug. Photographed by Kristie Graham, USDA ARS, bugwood.org
Brown marmorated stink bugs are generalists that will feed on many species of fruits, berries, vegetables, ornamentals (trees, shrubs, flowering plants), and crop plants. Both the adults and nymphs of brown marmorated stink bug feed by inserting their mouthparts into the fruit, stems, or leaves of a host plant. They inject digestive enzymes into the plant and suck up liquid from the plant. The combination of physical and enzymatic damage can result in the formation of necrotic lesions that affect the look and texture of the host plant. Feeding damage can cause flower buds to die, can result in malformed fruits and berries, and shrunken or stained kernels and seeds.
Brown marmorated stink bug eggs and newly hatched nymphs. Photographed by David R. Lance, USDA APHIS PPQ, bugwood.org
Brown marmorated stink bug typically has only one generation per year where it is established in Canada (BC, Ontario, Quebec). Adults overwinter in sheltered areas, including buildings, and begin to emerge from overwintering sites in May and early June. Egg laying usually starts one or two weeks after adult emergence. Egg laying and hatch can be staggered, thus adults, eggs, and nymphs can all be found at the same time for much of the summer.
Brown marmorated stink bugs can be distinguished from other species of stink bugs by the two white bands on the antennae of adults and of late-instar nymphs.
Adult brown marmorated stink bug have two distinct white stripes on the antennae. Photographed by Steven Valley, Oregon Department of Agriculture, bugwood.org
Brown marmorated stink bugs are not regulated by the CFIA. Sightings of brown marmorated stink bugs in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba can be reported to the Canadian Plant Health Council using this Google Form.
For more information and pictures of brown marmorated stink bug, please check out the British Columbia Pest Alert and Factsheet or the Government of Ontario brown marmorated stink bug page.
Spotted lanternfly is not established in Canada as of May 2025.
Spotted lanternfly is an invasive alien species to North America that originated in Asia. The first established population of spotted lanternfly was detected in the eastern United States in 2014. The distribution of spotted lanternfly has expanded in the United States from the original detection and infestations are now observed in the US close to the Canada-US border. The spotted lanternfly is a CFIA regulated pest. Please report all sightings of spotted lanternfly to the CFIA.
An adult spotted lanternfly, pinned to show off its distinctive colours and markings. Photographed by Bryan Brunet, AAFC-Ottawa.
Spotted Lanternfly Identification and Life Cycle
Eggs are laid in masses about 1 inch (25 mm) long. Egg laying occurs in late summer and through the fall until it gets too cold. Each egg mass contains up to 50 oblong-shaped eggs that are laid in vertical rows. When first laid, the eggs are covered with a protective coating that looks like grey wax or putty. As egg masses age, the coating is lost and the shape of individual eggs becomes more obvious. Spotted lanternfly often lay egg masses on protected surfaces, including the underside of branches and under peeling bark. Eggs can be laid at any location on a tree, from the base of the trunk to the highest branches. Egg masses can also be laid on other smooth surfaces, like vehicles, shipping pallets, and buildings.
Egg masses of spotted lanternfly, with an adult pictured for size comparison. Photographed by Lauren Des Marteaux, AAFC-Harrow.
Eggs hatch in spring. There are 4 nymphal instars that develop through spring and summer. Early instar nymphs are black with white spots. Late instar nymphs are black and red with white spots. The legs of all nymph instars are black with white spots.
Spotted lanternfly nymphs: A) early instar and B) late instar. Photographed by Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, bugwood.org.
Adults are active in mid- to late summer. Adults are about 25 mm (1 inch) long. When sitting on a branch, they are approximately 12 mm (0.5 inches) wide. The head and legs are dark brown or black and the abdomen is dark brown with yellow stripes. The forewings are tan-coloured. About 2/3 of the forewings are covered with dark brown spots; the wingtips are characterized by broken brown stripes. The hindwings are bright pink near the body with white/light tan and dark brown/black stripes towards the wing-tips. The bright coloured hindwings are usually covered by the forewings when adult lanternflies are at rest or walking.
Spotted lanternfly are quite unique from other insects found in Canada, helping to make them distinctive and easy to identify.
Spotted lanternfly adults and nymphs are generalists and are known to feed on over 100 different host plants. Their preferred host is Tree of Heaven, which has not been observed or recorded in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba. Other hosts include grapevine, fruit trees (cherry, peach, apple, pear, etc.), willow, poplar, and pine. Feeding activity and feeding damage has also been reported on vegetable plants.
Watch for and report all sightings of spotted lanternfly in Canada!
Everyone can help prevent the establishment of spotted lanternfly in Canada by using visually inspecting trees and plants for spotted lanternfly egg masses, nymphs and adults. For visual inspections:
Identify potential host trees for inspection. The preferred host is Tree of Heaven, which is not reported to occur on the prairies. Other favoured hosts include grapes, apples, plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, pine, willow, and poplar trees.
In fall and spring, inspect smooth-barked host trees for egg masses, from the ground to the highest point on the tree that you can safely reach. Look for eggs on other smooth surfaces, including vehicles, rocks, lawn furniture, etc. Be especially vigilant and inspect your vehicle if you have travelled to areas of the US where spotted lanternfly is established.
In late spring and summer, inspect host trees for spotted lanternfly nymphs and adults. Nymphs and adults can be easier to observe around dawn and dusk because they migrate up and down trees as the day passes.
This spring and summer, we will be highlighting insects that might be unfamiliar to you.
They might be insects that have building populations on the prairies, like Hessian fly.
They might be found occasionally in western Canada as migratory pests, like western bean cutworm.
Adult western bean cutworm. Photographed by Adam Sisson, Iowa State University, bugwood.org
They might be found in other parts of Canada but not on the prairies, like swede midge.
An adult swede midge and swede midge larvae developing on a canola plant. Photographed by Jonathon Williams, AAFC-Saskatoon.
Or they might not yet be found or established in Canada. They could be pests in other parts of the world, like cabbage stem flea beetle, or they could be invasive alien species that we need to watch out for in Canada, like spotted lanternfly.
A pinned adult spotted lanternfly, showing the distinct patterns and colours of this invasive alien species. Photographed by Bryan Brunet, AAFC-Ottawa.
Invasive insects and other invasive pests can have significant and negative impacts on agroecosystems and increase the cost of crop production. Managing invasive alien species, including insects, involves: Preparedness, Prevention, Detection, Response and Recovery.
Preparedness, Prevention, and Detection are important steps that can help to keep invasive alien species from becoming established in Canada. Everyone can help to prevent the invasion of insects by following guidelines to avoid the accidental movement or introduction of insects to Canada.
Similarly, everyone can help with early detection of invasive insects. In the Prairie Region, 12 important insect pests to watch out for are included on posters developed by the Canadian Plant Health Council.
There are also posters for three other regions of Canada: British Columbia (EN/FR), Ontario/Quebec (EN/FR), and the Atlantic Region (EN/FR).
In Week 2 we will feature a very high profile invasive alien species: Spotted lanternfly.
