SLF Established Population and Regulated Area October 23, 2026

As a result of the established population of spotted lanternfly in the County of Essex (October 15^th, 2026), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced the establishment of a regulated area for spotted lanternfly on October 23^rd, 2026. The regulated area includes the County of Essex, City of Windsor, Township of Pelee and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. This is consistent with the response framework that was published on September 14^th, 2026.

What does this mean?

According to the response framework, the objective of the regulated area is to slow the spread of the pest, limiting its geographical distribution and minimizing its movement and impact outside of a regulated area.

All articles being moved out of the regulated area MUST be free of any life stage of spotted lanternfly. This includes harvest bins, farm equipment, vehicles, outdoor equipment, etc. However, only nursery stock (woody trees, vines and shrubs of any kind) and deciduous logs with bark require additional specific phytosanitary documentation to be moved out of the regulated area. The requirement for a CFIA-issued movement certificate to move nursery stock from a regulated area to a non-regulated area of Canada will be implemented January 11, 2027. There are no restrictions on the movement of articles within the regulated area.

Facilities intending to move nursery stock out of the regulated area are encouraged to contact their local CFIA office as early as possible to discuss certification requirements and available compliance options.

What should you do if you find SLF?

If you are inside the county of Essex, city of Windsor, township of Pelee, there is no need to report SLF. If you find signs of SLF anywhere else, including the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, you should take a picture, then collect the insect/eggs and report it immediately to the CFIA (Spotted lanternfly Spot it? Snap it, catch it and report it – inspection.canada.ca)

Advice to growers

Continue to be diligent with your scouting for SLF. For late fall until spring, we are mostly concerned about egg masses. However, be alert for adults on any shipments arriving from more southernly location. Any supplies or equipment that have been left outside should be carefully inspected before being moved. As part of routine scouting activities, document both the presence and absence of SLF at each site inspected. Any incoming shipments from the Eastern USA or that travelled through the regulated area should be thoroughly inspected.

Below is a list of key resources for farms:

Official updates on Spotted Lanternfly regulations and observations from the CFIA

• Main Page (with reporting link): Spotted lanternfly Spot it? Snap it, catch it and report it – inspection.canada.ca
• Official Canadian Observations: Spotted lanternfly observations in Canada – inspection.canada.ca
• Risk Management Document (for domestic movement of nursery stock): D-24-01: Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) – Domestic and import phytosanitary requirements – inspection.canada.ca
• Technical info from OMAFA on IPM including identification, biology, scouting, management: Ontario Crop IPM – Spotted Lanternfly

Additional educational resources:

• Invasive Species Centre SLF website