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I spy with my little eye… a spotted lanternfly

I spy with my little eye… a spotted lanternfly

September 16, 2021| Environment

By: Kyle Richter

... and it is NOT a good thing!

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive planthopper native to parts of Asia. It was first discovered in the U.S. in Berks County, Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since spread to New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. There have been sightings in the area, including all four Municipalities around Lake Hopatcong. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) has placed numerous counties under quarantine, including adding Morris County to the growing list in 2021. Surrounding quarantine counties include Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset, Mercer, and a number of South Jersey Counties.

Though the spotted lanternfly does not harm humans or animals, the insect poses a serious threat to agricultural crops, particularly vineyards, as well as to hardwood trees. The Spotted Lanternfly is currently in the adult stage of its life cycle, and while they will not be able to survive a Jersey winter, their egg masses will.

The NJDA is asking everyone who lives, works, and travels through quarantined counties to take extra precautions to help reduce the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly. Some things you can do include:

Check Your Vehicle: Before leaving a parking lot or work site, inspect vehicles for spotted lanternfly egg or insects. Check doors, sides, bumpers, wheel wells, grills, and roofs. If found, destroy any eggs or insects you find.
Inspect Items Being Moved: Check shipping containers, propane tanks, pallets and other items being stored outdoors before they are moved off-site. Inspect incoming goods for egg masses and insects.
Park with Windows Closed: The spotted lanternfly and its nymphs can enter vehicles unsuspectedly. When parked, make sure to keep windows closed. If possible, try to park 15 feet away from trees if in a quarantine zone.
Remove and Destroy Pests: Crush nymphs and adult insects. Scrape egg masses into a plastic bag and place in trash.
Remove Host Trees: Spotted lanternflies prefer the ailanthus tree, also known as “Tree of Heaven.” Try to remove these trees from your property to avoid attracting spotted lanternflies.
Report Sightings: Contact the state agricultural department to report sightings outside of quarantined zones. If possible, take a picture or capture the insect in alcohol.

What to do if you spot one

According to the NJDA, you do not need to report sightings if they are in one of the quarantined counties. However, if you see a spotted lanternfly, or its egg masses, in any unquarantined counties in New Jersey, you can report it by emailing a photo (if possible) to reportspottedlaternflynj@ag.nj.gov or by calling 1-833-233-2840. In addition, they add, “If you are able to eliminate the spotted lanternfly, please do so.”