LAFAYETTE HILL, Pa.,
March 30, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/
-- The spotted lanternfly has come to the United States, and that's bad news. This
invasive insect native to China,
Bangladesh and Vietnam can damage trees, crops and wood
decks, threaten the economy, and be an all-around nuisance.
Sightings
The spotted lanternfly was first seen in the U.S. in
Pennsylvania in September 2014. Since then, it's appeared in
Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New
Jersey, New York,
Virginia and West Virginia. Scientists believe that it came
to America on goods that were imported from Asia.
Pennsylvania's Quarantine
One of several states to have a quarantine on the SLF (spotted
lanternfly) is Pennsylvania. At
least 26 of its counties are under that directive. The state
requires agricultural and non-agricultural businesses that
transport products that can be infested by the insect to have a
permit.
Among the items under stricter state control are construction,
landscaping and remodeling materials; logs, stumps and tree parts;
grapevines; nursery stock; crates, pallets and packaging materials;
RVs and mobile homes; tractors and mowers; grills, deck boards; and
vehicles not stored indoors. In addition to a watchful eye over
items, Pennsylvania does not allow
the movement of the SLF in any of its life stages: egg mass, nymph
or adult.
Plant Species the Spotted Lanternfly Damages
Although the spotted lanternfly threatens many plant products,
particularly apples, grapes, hops, walnuts and hardwood trees, it's
been seen on at least 103 kinds of plants and trees. Add to the
list rose, plum, river birch, willow, sumac, pine, silver maple,
red maple and tree-of-heaven, an invasive plant.
How the SLF Harms Trees and Plants
The SLF damages in several ways. By sucking the sap from
branches and stems, it weakens the host. In feeding, it leaves
behind honeydew, which is a sticky substance that invites other
insects. Honeydew also promotes the growth of sooty mold on plants
and trees.
Identification of the Pest
Adult spotted lanternflies (July to December) are about 1-inch
long and 1/2-inch wide. An early nymph (widely seen from late April
to July) is about 1/8-inch long, and it is black with white spots.
A late nymph (prominent from July to September) is about 1/2-inch
long, and it is black and red with white spots.
With wings wide open in its adult stage, the insect's forewings
are gray with black spots, and its hind wings are gray with black
spots. When someone or something disturbs it, the SLF shows its
beautiful bright red underwings.
When wings are closed, the insect is mostly gray with black
spots. Newly laid egg masses look as if they are covered with a
white substance. On more mature egg masses, the substance may turn
gray-brown. Very mature egg masses appear as rows of 30 to 50
seed-like structures in vertical columns.
Objects On Which the SLF Is Found
The spotted lanternfly can't fly far, but it infests by landing
on objects. That's why residents are urged to examine their
vehicles and keep car and truck windows closed when parked. It's
also suggested that people inspect trees, rocks, cement blocks,
decks, and other hard surfaces for egg masses. Do the same for
landscaping materials, lawnmowers and outdoor equipment that's
being moved from one place to another.
Controlling Egg Masses
Managing the pest includes scraping and destroying its eggs and
killing the more mature insects. When residents find egg masses
that have been laid on trees, rocks and blocks of cement in the
months from September to June, they should scrape them off. Pour
hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol into a freezer bag and scrape the
pest into the bag with a plastic card or a putty knife. Dispose of
the sealed bag. Residents can also smash egg masses.
Managing the Dissemination of Adult Lanternflies
Also look underneath cars and in wheel wells. Adult insects are
ever-present in the months from July through late December. In
searching for them examine trees and plants, especially at dusk and
at night when the insects are more likely to be on trunks and
stems. As with egg masses, one method of removing mature SLFs is by
smashing them.
Other methods of control include removing plants and trees that
the SLF feeds on, using tree traps to catch newly hatched nymphs
and treating trees and plants with EPA-approved insecticides. On
its website, the Penn State Extension evaluates some insecticides
for both their effectiveness and toxicity to birds, fish and
bees.
The spotted lanternfly poses threats to crops, agricultural jobs
and commercial and residential trees and plants. It can also
disrupt the comfortable lifestyles of residents. Vigilance and
moving to prevent the spread of this invasive insect are necessary
immediately.
The content of this tip sheet has been provided by Elmer Kingkiner of Kingkiner Tree Service
located in Lafayette Hill, PA
https://www.kingkinertreeservice.com/
Media Contact
Rob Wright, Small Talk Media, +1
6109729968, rob@smalltalkmedia.com
Rob Wright, Small Talk Media
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SOURCE Kingkiner Tree Service