PESKY PESTS: Climate Change and Pest Interactions in Ontario Vineyards

When examining the effects of climate change on viticulture, changes to grape physiology, and cultivar adaptation should be considered, along with the implications of grapevine pest interactions. We assess the spotted lanternfly and potato leafhopper in Canada, exploring their distribution, development, and environmental and economic implications. While the potato leafhopper feeds on over 200 agricultural host plants, the spotted lanternfly is a potential future invader, spreading rapidly across the United States of America (1). Predictive niche models and experimental studies on high temperature tolerance suggest further range expansion on a global scale, potentially including Ontario. Spotted lanternfly introduction to the United States of America will be used as a reference point to extrapolate potential outcomes of establishment in Ontario. Pest management strategies and preventative measures will further be explored while emphasising the importance of reducing invasion phenomena. Climate change is an enduring concern, and effective vineyard protection from infestation requires both prevention and mitigation measures. Pests are ecologically destructive and economically costly; thus, governments must continue to research this issue to prevent further pest proliferation and downstream harm.