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.

They might be found in other parts of Canada but not on the prairies, like swede midge.

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.

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.