Jellyfish, and beetles, and shrimp, oh my! While these creatures may sound harmless, they actually represent several new or expanding invasive species discovered across Canada this spring and summer that have the potential to disrupt local ecosystems.Â
These new kids on the block have travelled from far and wide via global trade, human interference, or climate change, and have scientists scrambling to assess their impacts and control populations. Here’s what you need to know about these invasive species.
Spotted lanternfly
While this funky-looking fly species hailing from Asia does not have an established population in Canada just yet, sightings are becoming increasingly common. The CBC reported that a St. Catharine’s, Ont., plant nursery inspector discovered 12 dead specimens in March, and there have been roughly 58 reports of lanternflies (25 of which were alive) in southern Ontario since late 2023. According to The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), they’re making their way into the province via shipping containers, vehicles, camping gear, and movement of plants across the Canada-U.S. border.
The CFIA says spotted lanternflies can feed on more than 100 species of trees and plants and pose a significant threat to the grape, tree fruit, wine, and ornamental nursery industries. If people come across one, the CFIA instructs people to stomp them out.
Bloody red shrimp
In April, a study published in the Journal of Great Lakes Research found that bloody red shrimp (no, we’re not cursing, that’s their name) have established a self-sustaining population in Lake Superior. The invasive crustaceans come from the Black Sea and Caspian Sea region and likely made their way to Lake Superior via shipping traffic. They were first introduced to the Great Lakes in 2006, but up until now, Superior was spared.
The red shrimp are a smaller version than the cocktail shrimp we eat, but they could pack a big punch. It’s not entirely clear how much they will disrupt the local ecosystem, but Fisheries and Oceans Canada says that because the species reproduces quickly and feeds on zooplankton, it could disrupt food resources for many other fish species that depend on zooplankton down the line.
European beetles
Last month, a survey out of the Ottawa Research and Development Centre found eight European beetle species new to Canada, in addition to 47 that are new to Halifax. These included the weevil, which can actually provide benefits by feeding on invasive weeds, but others, including European plant pests, can harm both cultivated and wild plants, outcompete native species, and reduce local biodiversity. The study says most non-native beetle species arrive in Canada via imported plants and soil from Europe.
The peach-blossom jellyfish
This adorably-named jelly is Canada’s only freshwater jellyfish. It’s a translucent creature no larger than a loonie, and it’s inhabited certain parts of Canada, such as southern B.C, since the 1930s, and Ontario and Quebec since the 1990s, according to the Invasive Species Council of B.C. But now experts are saying their habitats are expanding northward due to climate change.Â
This is because in its polyp stage, the jellyfish can remain dormant for a staggering 40 years, but massive blooms will occur when lake temperatures rise to around 25°C to 26°C, according to a 2025 webinar from Dr. Beatrix Beisner, a biology professor at the University of Quebec at Montreal. With global warming raising Ontario’s lake temperatures, blooms of mature peach-blossom jellyfish will become more common, especially in warmer lakes, such as Lake Erie. While they aren’t harmful to humans, it’s possible they can eat into the zooplankton populations, reducing food resources for other native species, according to Freshwater Conservation Canada.
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