A rapidly spreading invasive insect, the spotted lanternfly, has now been detected in 22 states across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. Officials are urging the public to kill the pests on sight due to their destructive feeding habits, which threaten a variety of plants, including grapevines crucial to the nation's wine industry.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has advised residents to "Kill it. Squash it, smash it. Just get rid of it." The insects feed on the sap of more than 70 types of plants, stressing them and causing significant crop losses. This feeding can lead to the production of a sticky, honeydew-like substance that encourages the growth of black sooty mold on plants, as well as surfaces like decks and cars.
Originally from Asia, including China, Vietnam, and India, the spotted lanternfly is believed to have arrived in the U.S. approximately a decade ago, likely via cargo ships carrying imported goods such as wooden furniture or plants. The first sightings in the U.S. were recorded in Pennsylvania in 2014. Today, the insects have inundated areas like Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and the New York City metropolitan area, with sightings extending as far south as the Carolinas, Georgia, and Tennessee, and as far west as Chicago, Illinois, and Des Moines, Iowa.
According to Cornell University's Integrated Pest Management map, the 22 infested or spotted states include Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
While adult spotted lanternflies do not survive the winter due to freezing temperatures, their eggs can endure. The eggs are often found as mud-like masses on trees, vehicles, firewood, and other outdoor items, making them easily transportable to new regions. This passive spread is a significant concern for containment efforts.
Federal and state officials are emphasizing the need to destroy any egg masses found on items before traveling. For individuals encountering the insects in areas not yet on the official sightings map, the USDA urges reporting the sighting to state agriculture offices for immediate action.
"They're here to stay," stated Julie Urban, an associate research professor of entomology at Penn State University. "Despite population crashes, the lanternflies haven't disappeared."
Some vineyards in Pennsylvania have reported devastating losses of up to 90 percent due to the infestations. A 2019 study estimated that these pests were costing Pennsylvania approximately $50 million annually in damages and contributing to job losses tied to destroyed crops.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has warned that the continued spread of spotted lanternflies could severely impact the nation's fruit and forest industries if not effectively managed.
