The spotted lanternfly is destroying crops in Pennsylvania

WASHINGTON, Pa. (KDKA) — An invasive insect is destroying crops in 9 states, together with Pennsylvania.  

To date, dozens of counties within the state have been impacted, and now there’s yet one more added to the quarantine listing.

Whereas minimal, state leaders say there have been sightings of the noticed lanternfly within the northeastern a part of Washington County, which was lately added to Pennsylvania’s noticed lanternfly quarantine listing.

It is a bug that is arduous to overlook, with black spots on its wings and pink markings when its wings are open. Whereas it might be fairly to take a look at, state and native leaders say the noticed lanternfly can wreak havoc socially, economically and environmentally.

In March, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding says Washington County was added to the state’s noticed lanternfly quarantine listing, making it the forty fifth county within the state added.

“We do not know why they’re interested in sure areas with such depth. In others, they will be a nuisance however will not have a extreme affect,” mentioned Redding.

Leaders say it is essential to do your half and fight the unfold in case you see the bug in your space. You are able to do that by reporting it to the state’s division of agriculture or capturing the insect your self by making a circle lure.

“All you do is have a bag, funnel right here, put the bag round it and put a zipper tie on there,” mentioned Jay Losiewicz with the Pennsylvania Division of Agriculture.

The bag captures the bug, and the hot button is to alter the bag about each two weeks.

“Each noticed lanternfly we kill means there’s 30 to 50 fewer the following yr. A feminine noticed lanternfly lays one to a few egg lots in a season,” mentioned Losiewicz.

To report the noticed lanternfly, click on right here.