If the Spotted Lantern Fly gains a foothold in B.C. it could devastate the Okanagan害羞草研究所檚 fruit and wine industry.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 an invasive insect that loves fruit,害羞草研究所� Dan Maja, chief bylaw enforcement officer, told the Regional District Central Okanagan Board at its Mar. 28 meeting. 害羞草研究所淥ur grapes, our cherries, all fruit.害羞草研究所�

The fly is not currently in B.C. but it has landed in Ontario. The insect has also been detected in 11 U.S. states, including Pennsylvania, where it has decimated the fruit and wine.

害羞草研究所淲e would like to not see that happen in the Okanagan,害羞草研究所� Maja added.

The insect was recognized as an invasive species by the federal government in 2018 and is on the 害羞草研究所樅π卟菅芯克鶞to-watch list害羞草研究所� in B.C.

To make things worse, the fly害羞草研究所檚 preferred nesting ground is the Tree of Heaven, a fast-growing invasive plant brought to B.C. from China.

Maja was looking for board approval to add the tree and the fly to the RDCO害羞草研究所檚 noxious plant and pest control bylaws as invasive species.

害羞草研究所淏y adding Tree of Heaven as an invasive plant the RDCO can pursue enforcement before infestation of the Spotted Lantern Fly becomes an issue.害羞草研究所�

The City of Kelowna recently amended its tree protection bylaw to add the tree, as well as Russian Olive and Siberian Elm. The City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation are not part of the RDCO害羞草研究所檚 weed control program.

害羞草研究所淭hey have a good neighbour bylaw, they do their weeds on their own,害羞草研究所� said Maja. 害羞草研究所淲e would love to take it over for them, we have a good program that has run for a number of years.害羞草研究所�

Maja added that U.S. states are sharing their information about the Spotted Lantern Fly and Agriculture Canada is also considering plans dealing with the insect.

害羞草研究所淚 don害羞草研究所檛 know if it害羞草研究所檚 going to be a sterile insect release like the coddling moth was, but whatever best practices are advised by the experts is what we would suggest homeowners should follow.害羞草研究所�

The board approved adding the Tree of Heaven and Spotted Lantern Fly to the RDCO害羞草研究所檚 noxious plant and pest control bylaws.

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