The spotted lantern fly is an invasive planthopper native to Asia, first discovered in Berks County in 2014. | Magi Kern on Unsplash
The spotted lantern fly is an invasive planthopper native to Asia, first discovered in Berks County in 2014. | Magi Kern on Unsplash
The Pennsylvania Agriculture Department has added 11 new counties to a quarantine list to attempt to control the spotted lantern fly problem across the state.
On March 25, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced that the new counties would be Adams, Armstrong, Bedford, Centre, Fulton, Indiana, Lycoming, Mercer, Snyder, Union and Washington. This now puts the total at 45 quarantined counties. The quarantine prohibits moving spotted lantern flies during any living stage, including their egg masses, nymphs and adults, as well as regulating moving articles that could be harboring the invasive species.
“Spotted lantern flies threaten outdoor businesses and quality of life, as well as grapes and other valuable crops Pennsylvania's economy depends on," Redding said, according to the Official Pennsylvania Government Website. "It's up to every Pennsylvanian to be on the lookout for these bad bugs. Walk your yard, gardens or land before spring hatch and scrape egg masses. Kill every bug. Check your vehicles before traveling to ensure you're not transporting them to a new area for new opportunities to devastate crops and outdoor quality of life.”
The Agriculture Department says that adult lantern flies do not survive the winter, but last season's insects have laid eggs on outdoor surfaces in masses of 30 to 60 eggs. They are covered with a mud or putty-like coating, and the department is asking people to destroy them on sight.
While the newly added counties don’t have widespread infestations, there are scattered areas shown on an online map. Once a report of the presence of lantern flies is received by the department, inspectors will confirm whether it is an infestation or something more isolated. High-risk areas include high-traffic businesses, transport centers and tourist attractions.
There are more than 20,000 companies and 1.2 million workers across the U.S. and Canada who have special Spotted Lantern Fly Permits that allow them to operate and travel through quarantine zones. This is made to educate businesses to recognize the insect and know what to do when they find some.
More information about spotted lantern flies can be found at The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
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