11/6/2022 0 Comments Lantern flyThe favorite host tree of the lanternfly is the tree of heaven. But why? How can a bug like this be that threatening?įorman Orth: There are two big reasons we are concerned. They were observed laying eggs, live adults, in trees on the side of the road in Fitchburg. This is the first time spotting an active breeding population. But they are usually dead, after they hitchhiked in on a vehicle or on goods shipped in. Why was this discovery more alarming?įorman Orth: There have now been a dozen different reports since 2018. Q &A with Jennifer Forman Orth The Brink: This isn’t the first time the spotted lanternfly has been spotted in these parts. The Brink caught up with Forman Orth to talk about this particular bug, her personal interest in all bugs, and what we should do if we think we’ve seen a dreaded spotted lanternfly. So when live adult spotted lanternflies were spotted in Fitchburg, Mass., in September-a dozen states now have reported infestations-Jennifer Forman Orth, an environmental biologist at the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, who earned a master’s in energy and environmental studies at Boston University, was suddenly besieged with questions about this invasive bug. As the New York Times wrote in a headline, “Die, Beautiful Spotted Lanternfly, Die.” And in Pennsylvania, residents are being told, “Kill it! Squash it, mash it, just get rid of it.” Environmental experts are so worried about the damage the spotted lanternfly could wreak on local ecosystems, in some places the public is being advised to kill the bugs as soon as they see them. And as if that’s not bad enough, it excretes a gross residue known as “honeydew” that can turn into mold, drip sticky substances onto cars and patios, and become dangerously slippery to step on-and it just flat-out stinks when its scent hits your nostrils.Ĭharming, right? If that sounds like the sort of bug that you just want to squash, many nature lovers would say…go right ahead. It’s a threat to trees, plants, crops, orchards, vineyards, even jobs. An invasive pest native to Asia, it first arrived in the United States seven years ago. Do your part to slow the spread by complying with the SLF quarantine relations.Not too many bugs are more destructive than the Lycorma delicatula, better known as the spotted lanternfly. In addition to Pennsylvania, SLF is also found in New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Connecticut, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and West Virginia. Counties within the quarantine zone include: Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Cambria, Cameron, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mifflin, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Pike, Schuylkill, Snyder, Union, York, Washington, Wayne, and Westmoreland. The quarantine affects vehicles and other conveyances, plant, wood, stone products and outdoor household items. The quarantine is in place to stop the movement of SLF to new areas within or out of the current quarantine zone and to slow its spread within the quarantine. SLF is currently found in 45 counties in Pennsylvania, all of which are under a state-imposed quarantine. The honeydew also builds up and promotes the growth for sooty mold (fungi), which can cover the plant, forest understories, patio furniture, cars, and anything else found below SLF feeding. The feeding damage significantly stresses the plants which can lead to decreased health and potentially death.Īs SLF feeds, the insect excretes honeydew (a sugary substance) which can attract bees, wasps, and other insects. It has a strong preference for economically important plants including grapevines, maple trees, black walnut, birch, willow, and other trees. The spotted lanternfly uses its piercing-sucking mouthpart to feed on sap from over 70 different plant species. If not contained, spotted lanternfly potentially could drain Pennsylvania’s economy of at least $324 million annually, according to a study carried out by economists at Penn State. SLF is a serious invasive pest with a healthy appetite for our plants and it can be a significant nuisance, affecting the quality of life and enjoyment of the outdoors.
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