The move has slowed the expansion of the insects, but nevertheless, the pest is projected to cause over $18 billion worth of damage to the states orchard and timber industries. Similar concerns are now being raised by the state\u2019s neighbor to the east, New Jersey.<\/p>\n
In reaction to the damaging insect, New Jersey placed three counties under quarantine, and the state\u2019s department of agriculture warns that 5 more counties may be placed under quarantine sometime in 2020.<\/p>\n
The insects inflict damage to their botanical hosts by inserting their long tube-like mouthparts into woody tissue and slurping up the plants sap or phloem. Sap is an important part of a plants immune system, but nevertheless a few lantern flies are nothing more than a nuisance to a healthy tree.<\/p>\n
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Despite its name, the Spotted Lanternfly is actually a species of leafhopper rather than a fly.<\/p><\/div>\n
The problem, according to agricultural entomologists at Penn State University is \u201c\u2026it\u2019s not uncommon to find trees covered with thousands of the flies all feeding at once\u2026the trees simply get overwhelmed by the insects\u2026\u201d. According to a farmworker in Lancaster County PA, \u201cThis Summer the crops were just covered with the bugs\u201d.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Since the insects are known to feed on over 70 species of plants most notably including, peach, apple, pear, walnut, oak, maple, and grape, the pests could signal disaster for many of the state\u2019s orchards. While, information regarding the extent of damages are unavailable, it is estimated mortality rates for grape vines infested with the pest\u2019s range between 95% and 98%. This has the state\u2019s department of agriculture warning \u201cThey [Spotted Lanternfly] threaten billions of economic impacts and hundreds of thousands of jobs for those in the grape, apple, hops, and hardwood industries\u201d.<\/p>\n Above a swarm of Spotted Lanternflies can be seen feeding on a grape vine crop in a vineyard in southern New Jersey.<\/p><\/div>\n In 2016, NJ produced around 2 million gallons of wine, worth a retail value of approximately $30 million. The increasing encroachment of the Lanternfly however, threaten to put these profits at risk.<\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Despite being poor flyers, Lanternflies continue to expand their range by hitchhiking on agricultural products and debris traded across state and county lines. To combat this, officials at the NJ Department of Agriculture encourage individuals who frequently travel large distances to comply with the states quarantine rules and check vehicles and debris for the insects.<\/span><\/p>\n The map above shows the counties under quarantine as a result of the Spotted Lanternfly. As of now 6 states have counties under quarantine, but that is expected to increase as the insect continues to expand its range. (map courtesy of NJDA).<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n If the Spotted Lanternfly is found on your property, by state law you are required to contact the proper state officials for treatment options. Treatments can include the physical removal of the insects and their eggs and larvae by hand, or more drastic measures such as controlled burnings and use of chemical pesticides.<\/p>\n While some of these measures may seem extreme, according to insect specialists referred to as entomologist and NJDA officials they\u2019re not without good reason. The Insects are able to multiply quickly by laying egg masses on host vegetation that consists of 30-50 eggs each. \u201cThis is bad news\u2026 Kill it! Squash it, smash it…just get rid of it. These are called bad bugs for a reason, don’t let them take over your county next\u201d says an official from the PA Department of Agriculture.<\/p>\n While some methods of treatment such as the use of controlled burnings have proven effective against the insect, the treatment brings concerns over air quality and focuses on too small an area to halt the epidemic as a whole.<\/p>\n Other methods, such as the application of insecticides, manage to kill the insects in large numbers but remain harmful to people and beneficial insects, such as pollinators. According to plant ecologist Carol Loeffler, it\u2019s illegal to use insecticides to kill the invading insects since they\u2019re yet to be listed on pesticide labels. Loeffler explains that \u201cthe insects are so new to America, that pesticide labels have yet to include them\u201d.<\/p>\n Loeffler has concerns that the situation is getting out of hand and worries farmers are starting to \u201c\u2026just spray with whatever pesticide they think would work. They can’t afford to worry about whether or not the bug is listed on the label\u201d says Carol Loeffler.<\/p>\n While Loeffler is optimistic a solution will arise, the lifelong plant enthusiast has worries that the \u201cLanternfly is emblematic of a \u201cnew wave of pests\u201d that could put some farmers out of business.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, agricultural experts across the country are working tirelessly to find a solution. Recent studies by entomologists at Penn State University at College Park, have shown a correlation between Lanternfly populations and the population of an invasive tree called \u201cTree of Heaven\u201d or Ailanthus<\/em>. The invasive tree is native to China, and overlaps with the native range of the Spotted Lanternfly. In its native habitat, Ailanthus<\/em> acts as a host plant for the Spotted Lanternfly which will often lay its eggs on the trees bark and leaves.<\/p>\n Tree of Heaven, such as the one pictured above, are commonly seen growing along roadsides and fencerows, and are considered an exotic invader in their own right.<\/p><\/div>\n In the U.S, Ailanthus <\/em>can commonly be found growing along cropland, roadsides, and any disturbed habitats. Scientist believe the same relationship observed between Ailanthus <\/em>and the Spotted Lanternfly in Southeast Asia also holds true in the United States. The studies suggest, that by removing the invasive Ailanthus<\/em>, counties can decrease Spotted Lanternfly populations and mitigate their spread.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>Already, counties in central Pennsylvania and New Jersey are taking the studies advice, and have put programs in motion to remove the invasive trees. So far, it\u2019s too early to tell whether the tactic will work. Documents from the NJDA suggests the insects are highly adaptable and will find another host. Regardless, the Tug of war between man and insect continues to persist, and the fate of the state\u2019s orchard and timber industries, as well as the livelihoods of thousands remain at risk.<\/p>\n References:<\/p>\n Urban, M., J. 2020. Perspective: shedding light on Spotted Lanternfly impacts in the USA. Pest Management Science<\/em> 10-17.<\/p>\n Spotted Lanternfly: Research Update. Penn State Extension. 2020. https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/spotted-lanternfly-research-update<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.dickinson.edu\/writingsciencenews2020\/files\/2020\/04\/5aa2fbb00372c.image_-300x199.jpg\")
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