Spotted Lanternfly on the Move
Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is a looming threat to the Finger Lakes region and right now is a key time to observe and report this invasive insect. Since its detection in Pennsylvania in 2014, SLF has expanded through southeastern PA and areas of New Jersey, Delaware and Virginia. While it has been observed in several Finger Lakes counties, no self-sustaining population has been reported to date.
“Now is a great time to keep an eye out for these pests as the adults will be flying, looking for places to lay their eggs,” according to Jessica Cancelliere of DEC. “If you see any, please report them immediately by emailing spottedlanternfly@dec.ny.gov.”
You can also file a report online. If you can take any pictures of the insect, egg masses or signs of infestation, you can include them in your report. This will help DEC to confirm the observation and take appropriate action.
SLF feeds upon over 65 species of plants and as such, is projected to become a serious pest of timber, ornamental trees, tree fruit orchards, grapes, stone fruit, and other small fruits such as blueberries. It can kill hops and feeds on several types of vegetables. Needless to say, an infestation in the Finger Lakes region could impose significant economic impact on the regions’ vineyards, hops farms and fruit growers.
Anyone who travels through or has a visitor from the quarantined areas should be particularly observant. “These bugs are really good at hitch-hiking and can attach themselves even with the briefest of visits,” noted Cancelliere.
The adults should be active into December, but egg masses can be located (and exterminated) all winter. Spotted lanternfly egg masses look like unevenly spread mortar smeared on almost any outdoor surface. The egg masses contain 30-50 eggs and are protected with a mud-like covering, giving them their grey color and cracked-mortar appearance.
Photo Credit: Penn State Extension, E. Swackhamer
Visit the SLF page on the DEC site for additional information. And be sure to keep an eye out so you can help #stopSLF
Additional resources:
https://nysipm.cornell.edu/environment/invasive-species-exotic-pests/spotted-lanternfly/
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
