An invasive species threatens Ontario's wine and grape industry. Here's what you should know

An invasive insect species has the potential to do millions of dollars of damage to Ontario's wine and grape-growing industry, experts say.

The spotted lanternfly was recently detected in New York state, not far from the Niagara wine-growing region

There is cause for concern, and this insect "really likes to feed on grape vines," said Emily Posteraro, a program development coordinator at Invasive Species Centre, a Canadian non-profit.

"It's caused a lot of destruction to grape vines and other tender fruit trees and other types of plants in the United States."

The spotted lanternfly is "an invasive plant-hopper native to Southeast Asia," according to the Invasive Species Centre's website. The insect was first detected in North America in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has spread to a number of other states since. It has yet to be detected in Canada, but industry experts say it's only a matter of time before it crosses the border. 

It's a "hurry up and wait" situation, Debbie Zimmerman, CEO of Grape Growers of Ontario, told CBC Toronto. 

"We know it's invading northern New York state and eventually will make its way to Canada," she said. 

The spotted lanternfly sucks the sap out of grape vines, causing them to collapse, Zimmerman said.

She said she's concerned because if left unchecked, the insects could devastate entire vineyards, which would each cost upwards of $45,000 to replant. 

"It's a much more aggressive pest than we've seen in the past," she said. 

In fact, the species has done millions of dollars worth of damage in Pennsylvania. 

A 2019 study from Pennsylvania State University estimated the annual economic statewide damage caused by the insect to be between $43 million US and $99 million US, based on data from the 2017 US Census of Agriculture and a survey of crop production experts.

The researchers stated grape growers were hit especially hard but the figures also include nursery operators and Christmas tree growers.

The spotted lanternfly can be found in its three life stages. The Invasive Species Centre describes its eggs as "brown, seed-like, covered in a grey, mud-coloured secretion." They are found grouped together in a vertical formation, usually found on trees, but can be laid on any surface, including cars. The nymphs grow in four stages, starting out with black and white spots. As they mature they gain red spots with distinctive patches of black and white. Adults have wings that are approximately one inch long. They have black and grey spots, but appear bright red when the wings are open.