The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has issued a reminder to residents that the invasive spotted lanternflies have reached their adult phase and will begin laying eggs in the fall. Most of Pennsylvania, including nine counties in Central Pennsylvania, are under quarantine due to the presence of these bugs. Residents are urged to immediately report any sightings and to squash the bugs to prevent them from laying eggs. The spotted lanternflies cause significant damage to trees, vines, crops, and plants, as well as affecting outdoor activities and the agriculture industry. The Department of Agriculture receives over 1,500 reports of spotted lanternflies every week and follows up with reports in non-quarantined areas to limit their spread. They urge residents to help in the fight against these invasive insects by reporting sightings and destroying them. The economic impact of the spotted lanternfly infestation could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars and could impact hundreds of thousands of jobs in the agriculture industry. Residents are encouraged to know their enemy by learning how to identify the spotted lanternfly and take action to control their population.
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State Issues Reminder to Resume Squashing Spotted Lanternflies
