Spotted lanternfly continues to spread leaving dying and sickly grapes, fruit trees, and hardwoods in its wake. We told you about them earlier this year, but are back with some updates.
Spotted lanternfly is an invasive planthopper that is currently found in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Virginia and has been spotted in Delaware and New York. This insect’s flashy pink, black, and orange coloration make them easy to spot in the nymph and adult stages but the eggs blend seamlessly into stone, bark, and lumber. These invasive insects weaken plants and make them more prone to infection by piercing bark to feed and dripping sugary excrement onto the ground.
Right now, there is a great risk of spread. Anecdotal reports suggest that adults may be adept at clinging to moving vehicles which may be aiding in their dispersal. You should be on the lookout for eggs and adults attached to merchandise and vehicles coming from the affected states. If you suspect you might have found any, report it (learn how at reportinvasive.com)!
Researchers at Penn State have been working hard to improve containment and management. To learn more check out:
Heather Leach of Penn State University’s presentation on Thursday, Sept. 13th at 11:00 AM ET on ongoing research and management advice about spotted lanternfly. Watch it live or later at http://www.emeraldashborer.info/eabu.php
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture frequently updates their spotted lanternfly page. If you need a quick overview of the risk, this is a good place to start!
To get updates about all invasive species in Indiana at @reportinvasive on twitter and Instagram or on the reportinvasive Facebook page.
