Lanternflies are one of the most notorious pests attacking crops all over the United States, especially vineyards. In New Jersey, the bugs are a particular menace, with Orange Grove authorities rallying people to "Join the battle—Beat the bug."
The spotted lanternfly, a type of planthopper native to Southeastern Asia, has semi-translucent wings covered in black spots with bright red hindwings. The bug typically prefers the tree of heaven, maple trees, nut trees, and other ornamental trees and vines. They are particularly fond of sap from grapevines and ornamental trees, costing several states millions of dollars of losses.
Local authorities across New England states all the way south to Virginia have declared the lanternfly as an invasive species. New Jersey's Department of Agriculture has already placed eight counties under quarantine due to lanternfly infestations. Travelers within the state have been asked to check their vehicles and eliminate any spotted lanternflies.
Spotted Lanternfly Program
The state has kept track of lanternfly populations since they first arrived in 2018. However, it was only this year that counties along the Delaware River have been seen an infestation this large.
The worst infestations have been reported in Pennsylvania with 26 counties under quarantine. Ecologist Matthew Helmus at Temple University shared that all he sees are lanternflies compared to formerly "sit[ting] out on my deck and watch bees fly by."
The Spotted Lanternfly Program is a collaboration between officials and scientists from Penn State, Pennsylvania's Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Part of the team has focused on pest management techniques, while others are developing biological control agents and are studying the bug's reproductive biology.
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Controlling the Infestation
Evolutionary biologist Julie Urban from Penn State is currently analyzing the spotted lanternfly's internal bacteria, which is involved in digesting sap. The pest has three specialized bacteria organs, with two being characteristic to planthoppers and the third one, a new discovery.
Dr. Urban explained, "It's bright yellow and lays across the belly,"—a discovery confirmed after dissecting hundreds of lanternflies. Studying the organs may give clues to how the bacteria is transferred to eggs, which can help control the bug population.
Another way to control the lanternfly infestation is to hinder them from hitchhiking on shipments traveling east, such as trucks and train cars, shared Helmus. "If it gets to Napa, it could do some real damage," to the grape vineyard across the valley.
Local authorities have also given general guidelines to get rid of the bugs, such as killing them with fly swatters and getting rid of any eggs. Penn State also recommends using insecticidal soap as a spray while others shared that mixing alcohol and water worked as well.
In a few states, the Virginia Cooperative Extension's Frederick County Office has reported that the Winchester has been "generally infested" by spotted lanternflies due to the abundance of ornamental trees. The community has been asked to report any sightings in Frederich County as well.
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