Category: Invasive species

PART 1. Genomic diversity of ToBRFV: What’s happening in Canada?

Published on by Cara McCreary

Authors: Greg Fougere (MSc candidate, Brock University), Jonathan Griffiths (Research Scientist – Virology, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) and Cara McCreary (Greenhouse Vegetable IPM Specialist, OMAFA)

For several years now tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) has reared its ugly tomato head in Canadian greenhouses and across the world (Zhang et al., 2022). The greenhouse sector and all its allies including greenhouse employees, grower organizations, suppliers and researchers have worked diligently to understand mitigation and management. Biosecurity has improved. Detection has improved. Seed suppliers have developed ToBRFV-resistant cultivars at a rapid pace. But we are not out of the woods quite yet.

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“COMMUNITY” PEST ALERT: Spotted Lanternfly

Published on by Cara McCreary1 Comment

They may be pretty, but they aren’t our friends.

Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive sap-feeding planthopper with potential to harm agriculture and forestry in Ontario.

But I only grow greenhouse fruits and vegetables, so why does it matter to me, you ask? Although not considered a huge threat to our greenhouse crops, we can still do our part in our communities. If you enjoy the benefits of orchards, vineyards, agroforestry or ornamental nurseries or you have neighbours, friends or family that produce these commodities, then you are part of this community.

Spotted lanternfly is a quarantine pest in Canada. It is important to report any sightings immediately to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Steps to take if you suspect SLF:

  1. Take a photo or video
  2. Collect specimens including adults, nymphs or egg masses
  3. Report

Tip: To assist with early detections, pay close attention to any tree-of-heaven‘s that you have on or near your properties since these are preferred hosts for SLF.

Below are some resources that can be used to spread awareness including:

  1. Pest Alert: Spotted Lanternfly
  2. Spotted Lanternfly Poster (English)
  3. Spotted Lanternfly Poster (Spanish)
omafra-spotted-lanternfly-pest-alert-en-2023-07-21Download
LO_EN_SpottedLanternFlyPoster_2024Download
LO_SP_SpottedLanternFlyPosterDownload

Tropical Thrips Species Intercepted on Plant Material in Ontario: Be Aware – But Don’t Panic.

Published on by Cara McCreary

Written by: SARAH JANDRICIC, GREENHOUSE FLORICULTURE IPM SPECIALIST, OMAFRA

Figure 1. Thrips parvispinus is generally dark coloured (though the head and thorax can be lighter than the abdomen), has bright red ocelli and clear patches at the top of its wings.
Continue reading “Tropical Thrips Species Intercepted on Plant Material in Ontario: Be Aware – But Don’t Panic.” →