submitted by Tracy, Emily, and Sam, BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. Tracy.Hueppelsheuser@gov.bc.ca
You may notice a few of the insect traps we have placed near the garden plots this year. We would like to introduce you to the species we are looking out for this season. If you find a trap that has fallen or blown off a branch, please use the contact information card on the trap so we may retrieve it. If you see any of our summer staff checking the traps, feel free to wave and ask any questions you may have.
Apple leaf curling midge
Dasineura mali
This is an invasive species present in the Fraser Valley since the early 1990’s. The larvae of this pest feeds on the new leaf growth causing leaf curling and distortion. There is a white triangle trap in an apple tree which catches this species so we can track the timing of the adult midge flights.
More information about this pest here.
Triangle trap for apple leaf curling midge in apple tree by parking lot 
Damage caused by apple leaf curling midge larvae feeding
Strawberry blossom weevil
Anthonomous rubi
This tiny black weevil is native to Europe, North Africa and Asia was first detected in 2019 in the Abbotsford area, and confirmed in wild hosts in the Fraser Valley in 2020. Hosts include strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, wild roses and other Rosacea plants. The weevil lays eggs in developing flower buds, causing the buds to cease development. Infestations of this weevil result in reduced fruit production in raspberry and strawberry plants. We have various types of sticky traps along with green bucket style traps out to assess the population.
More information about this pest here.
Green bucket trap 
Blossom weevil on a raspberry bud. The black marks on the bud are feeding punctures made by the weevil. 
yellow sticky trap
Brown marmorated stink bug
Halyomorpha halys
This new invading species of stink bug was first found in North America in 2001 in the Eastern U.S. and Portland, OR. We detected it in 2015 in Chilliwack and now is present in the lower mainland, Okanagan, and Vancouver Island. This pest feeds on many fruit and vegetables, including tomatoes and apples, causing distortion and discoloration on the fruit as it grows. We are trapping this species using a clear sticky card with an attractant to monitor its population.
More information about this pest here.
Clear sticky trap for catching Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs 
Stink bugs on the trap
Box tree moth
Cydalima perspectali
Initially found in Toronto in 2018, this species has not been yet seen in BC. The caterpillar stage of this pest feeds on the foliage of Boxwood, and possibly some others such as Euonymous and holly plants. Boxwood is a common hedge and ornamental plant in BC. The traps for this species look like little green milk cartons with a roof. This is a collaborative effort with Canadian Food Inspection Agency to look for any presence of this pest across Canada.
More information about this pest here.
Box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis)
cc photo courtesy of Christophe Quintin
Box tree moth trap
Spotted wing drosophila
Drosophila suzukii
This is an invasive vinegar fly which causes damage to berry and cherry fruit when it is nearly ripe. Traps are set up to monitor the population of fly in the area, and to collect parasitoids of the fly. These traps are set in the red elderberries and wild blackberry patches. Traps are filled with apple cider vinegar as a bait to attract the flies. In addition, we are collecting some ripe red elderberry and wild blackberry fruit to search for the parasitoids and monitor their populations.
More information about this pest here.
Small Spotted wing drosophila trap with apple cider vinegar as a bait inside 
Large Spotted wing drosophila trap with apple cider vinegar as a bait inside