Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Everyone on the lookout for spotted lanternfly in PA

Last year, spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) was discovered in Berks county, PA and quickly became the target of eradication efforts.  This year, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and has contributed over $1 million in funding in the Farm Bill for this pest issue.  After discovering the lanternfly, PDA designated the quarantine area and restricted the movement of potential host material to protect surrounding areas.  It especially important to restrict the movement of host material. as the lanternfly moves by walking, jumping, and flying short distances, so large movements are primarily a result of humans moving infested plant materials or objects with egg masses attached.

Not only are the government agencies involved in the effort, but local citizens are volunteering their time to set traps to identify the current range of the lanternfly.  Outreach programs are educating the public on what to look for and the rules/laws of the quarantine.

spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) by Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org

Source Article: APHIS Partners with Pennsylvania to Fight the Spotted Lanternfly
Spotted Lanternfly Images- Lycorma delicatula