Old World Bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) found in United States!

Todd Gilligan, LepIntercept, USDA APHIS ITP, Bugwood.org

On June 17, 2015, one male Helicoverpa armigera (old world bollworm) was collected in a Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) pheromone trap in a field in Bradenton, Florida, USA. This moth is a serious agricultural pest globally, and this is the first detection in the U.S. outside of port interceptions. The caterpillars feed on a wide variety of field crops, the adults can fly long distances, and populations have repeatedly evolved resistance to many insecticides.

More information on this pest and news on the current situation can be found at http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Plant-Industry/Plant-Industry-Publications/Pest-Alerts/Pest-Alert-The-Old-World-Bollworm

Spotted Lanternfly found in Pennsylvania

On Sept. 22, 2014, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, confirmed the presence the Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in Berks County.

The Spotted Lanternfly is a planthopper from Asia, specifically found in China, Korea, India, Vietnam, and parts of eastern Asia. It is an invasive insect in Korea where it was introduced in 2006 and since has attacked 25 plant species which also grow in Pennsylvania. In the U.S. it has the potential to greatly impact the grape, fruit tree and logging industries. This pest attacks many hosts including grapes, apples, pines, stone fruits and more than 70 additional species.

More information can be found at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture website