Spotted Lantern Fly
Spotted Lantern Fly Update
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10/17/18 -Spotted Lanternfly – The spotted lantern fly is our latest pest and has invaded our community which is in the quarantined area of the state. There is no known predator of the spotted lanternfly and treatment is very expensive. The WeatherStone Community Association could never afford to spray nor does it have the budget to control this insect. A special assessment could be levied. It makes no sense for the WCA to apply control measures at an expense to our residents if the areas in the region are not treated. The other control measure involves the removal of its favorite host tree, the tree-of-heaven. This tree has been removed from our common areas and has been for years. We know this tree as a Chinese sumac. However, this tree does reside in the open spaces directly around WeatherStone and throughout the region. The open space land is owned by the township. These bugs like other trees with sweet sap such as maples and pines.
9/18 - The Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is native to China and was first detected in Pennsylvania in September 2014. The spotted lantern fly feeds on a wide range of fruit, ornamental and woody trees, with tree-of-heaven being one of the preferred hosts. Spotted lantern flies are invasive and can be spread long distances by people who move infested material or items containing egg masses. If allowed to spread in the United States, this pest could seriously impact the country’s grape, orchard, and logging industries.
There have been numerous reports of the spotted lanternfly (latest invasive pest) in Weather- Stone and the surrounding area. These beautiful little creatures have the potential to be very destructive. They were first found in Berks County and are now infesting the northern parts of Chester County. We live in the designated quarantine area (latest PA map).
Trying to control this pest can be cost prohibitive. The WeatherStone Community Association could never afford to provide the control measures needed to stop the insect. Especially if the areas around and near our community do nothing. The tree-of-heaven (its preferred host tree) has been removed from our common areas and has been for years. We know of this tree as a sumac. However, this tree does reside in the open spaces directly around WeatherStone and throughout the region. The open space land is owned by the township.
We suggest you go to the following website to learn more about the spotted lantern fly:
https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/PlantIndustry/Entomology/spotted_lanternfly/SpottedLanternflyAlert/Pages/default.aspx
What can you do?
We hope this has been helpful. If you have questions please contact a local extension office.
9/18 - The Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is native to China and was first detected in Pennsylvania in September 2014. The spotted lantern fly feeds on a wide range of fruit, ornamental and woody trees, with tree-of-heaven being one of the preferred hosts. Spotted lantern flies are invasive and can be spread long distances by people who move infested material or items containing egg masses. If allowed to spread in the United States, this pest could seriously impact the country’s grape, orchard, and logging industries.
There have been numerous reports of the spotted lanternfly (latest invasive pest) in Weather- Stone and the surrounding area. These beautiful little creatures have the potential to be very destructive. They were first found in Berks County and are now infesting the northern parts of Chester County. We live in the designated quarantine area (latest PA map).
Trying to control this pest can be cost prohibitive. The WeatherStone Community Association could never afford to provide the control measures needed to stop the insect. Especially if the areas around and near our community do nothing. The tree-of-heaven (its preferred host tree) has been removed from our common areas and has been for years. We know of this tree as a sumac. However, this tree does reside in the open spaces directly around WeatherStone and throughout the region. The open space land is owned by the township.
We suggest you go to the following website to learn more about the spotted lantern fly:
https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/PlantIndustry/Entomology/spotted_lanternfly/SpottedLanternflyAlert/Pages/default.aspx
What can you do?
- Inspect your trees and plants for signs of this pest, particularly at dusk and at night when the insects tend to gather in large groups on the trunks or stems of plants.
- Inspect trees (in particular, tree of heaven), bricks, stone, and other smooth surfaces for egg masses.
- If you find an insect that you suspect is the spotted lanternfly, please contact your local Extension office or State Plant Regulatory Official to have the specimen identified properly.
- If you live In Pennsylvania, use the interactive plant pest quarantine map to see if you’re in the spotted lanternfly quarantine. If you are:
- in the quarantine area, this YouTube video shows how to identify, remove, and destroy SLF egg masses.
- in other parts of Pennsylvania, report it to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture by emailing a photo of the egg mass to badbug@pa.gov or call 888-4-BADFLY (223359).
- If you find the bug kill it by placing it in a baggie with some rubbing alcohol in it. Scrap egg cases from where they have been laid and do the same with them.
We hope this has been helpful. If you have questions please contact a local extension office.