Canada confirms first spotted lanternfly in Windsor, after invasive insect spreads across 18 US states

Canada has recently confirmed the first detection of spotted lanternfly in the country. On September 15, 2026, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the first detection of SLF in Canada in Windsor, Ontario. Movement restrictions have been placed to prevent the movement of regulated materials, including potentially infested plant materials. Moreover, surrounding areas are under surveillance to determine the extent of the infestation and the next steps.Spotted lanternflies are considered an invasive species in South Korea and the United States. A species is invasive when it’s introduced, often unintentionally by people, to a non-native area and spreads, frequently causing harm to the new environment.They were first reported as an introduced species in Korea in 1932. However, it’s possible that this may have been a misidentification, as none were reported again until 2006, when they suddenly became a common sight.In Japan, the insects may have occurred sporadically since the 1930s, but 2008 saw outbreaks of spotted lanternflies in Ishikawa Prefecture. It was first detected in Berks County in Pennsylvania, North America in 2014. has been regulated in Canada since 2018. I...