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The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma deliculata) was first identified in New Jersey in 2014, having traveled into the state from Pennsylvania. Not really a fly at all, the insect is actually a plant hopper that originated in Asia.
While some people find the insect attractive, others find it to be a bit creepy. But everyone is worried about the spread of the insect since it can infest plants in large numbers, potentially weakening or killing the plant. The spotted lanternfly is a non-native species that can attack a wide range of herbaceous plants and trees. New Jersey’s agricultural growers worry about economic damage to crops, with wine grapes being one crop of concern. Damage to home landscapes is also a worry.
Everyone can help fight the spread of the spotted lanternfly. Homeowners can inspect trees and outdoor items for the insect’s distinctive egg masses and destroy them. Likewise adults and nymphs can be destroyed by chemical or physical methods or corralled with traps. People living in infested areas should inspect their vehicles or any items to be transported for eggs or insects before travelling to areas that are currently free of spotted lanternfly populations. It is helpful to remove tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) from your property, perhaps leaving a few to serve as trap trees for the insect. (See the Rettke video below, starting at 56:30.)
You can report sightings of the spotted lanternfly in areas where they are not currently common. Those in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Salem, Somerset, or Warren Counties do not need to report sightings. Homeowners can send an email to slanternfly@njaes.rutgers.edu with the municipality and county where the insect was found, and a photo for positive identification. Those working in agriculture can send an email to slf-plantindustry@ag.nj.gov.
Resources for Homeowners
New Jersey Department of Agriculture
www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/prog/spottedlanternfly.html
Includes general information on the spotted lanternfly, photos of life stages, and chemical treatment options for homeowners.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
njaes.rutgers.edu/spotted-lanternfly/
Includes general information on the spotted lanternfly, photos, list of counties under quarantine, and contacts for reporting sightings.
Pennsylvania State University video on removing egg masses
(See extension.psu.edu/how-to-remove-spotted-lanternfly-eggs).
Steve Rettke webinar video
Addressees what you can do at home, as well as photos of life stages, life cycle and to expect over the seasons, explanation of how these insects damage plants, introduction and spread of this insect, identification and control of tree of heaven, chemical control options for homeowners, predators and biological controls. Presented in September 2020 for Rutgers Cooperative Extension and the Cohansey Area Watershed Association
Download recording link:
rutgers.webex.com/rutgers/ldr.php?RCID=d2f1c86213594a9ea4eecd51bad37218
Playback recording link:
rutgers.webex.com/rutgers/lsr.php?RCID=d2f1c86213594a9ea4eecd51bad37218
Password:
Lanternfly2020
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