Entomologist Mike Raupp, professor emeritus on the College of Maryland who’s also referred to as “The Bug Man,” mentioned after stowing away on cargo and arriving in Pennsylvania again in 2014, the noticed lanternfly has unfold to 14 states, together with Maryland and Virginia.
The grownup noticed lanternfly is a gorgeous insect, however nonetheless dangerous to many vegetation. (Courtesy Mike Raupp, AKA the bug man)
The noticed lanternfly is again for one more season, and it seem all indicators are pointing to this invasive species staying within the U.S. for good.
Entomologist Mike Raupp, professor emeritus on the College of Maryland who’s also referred to as “The Bug Man,” mentioned after stowing away on cargo and arriving in Pennsylvania again in 2014, these bugs have unfold to 14 states, together with Maryland and Virginia.
“I feel the genie’s out of the bottle on this one, and I’m afraid the noticed lanternfly actually is right here to remain,” Raupp mentioned.
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The dangerous information about this bug is the stuff it excretes. After it sucks up sap from bushes, noticed lanterflies douse the vegetation in its excrement, a honey like substance generally known as “honeydew.” It “fouls stuff beneath,” corresponding to grapes, peaches and apples, in accordance with Raupp.
The bug has hit vineyards arduous, and Raupp mentioned it additionally seems that the insect may have an effect on the beer trade too, as they appear to actually love hops.
He mentioned honeydew can also make leaves black, which permits for plant-killing fungi to focus on the plant.
One other draw back is the “honeydew” additionally attracts bugs, corresponding to yellowjackets and hornets that sting individuals.
Raupp mentioned whereas individuals are nonetheless inspired to squash the flies after they see them and scrape away egg plenty, he mentioned new analysis reveals a lot of the bug’s eggs are laid in locations the place individuals can’t attain. Meaning most of them will hatch and survive.
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Raupp mentioned for householders, there are methods to focus on the bugs you see in your backyard.
“You need to use issues like horticultural spray oil, say for insecticidal cleaning soap, neem oil, and even issues like pyrethrin can be extremely efficient. They’ll give good to wonderful management of those tiny noticed lanternflies,” Raupp mentioned.
States are additionally encouraging individuals to test a protracted checklist of things earlier than they transfer to forestall the bugs from hitching a free journey to a brand new locale.
States have additionally established quarantines, which drive companies that transfer objects that the bugs prefer to latch onto to comply with particular directions, and in some instances, get permits to maneuver these supplies.
Though it sounds bleak, Raupp mentioned there may be some excellent news. Within the areas first infested by the noticed lanternfly, corresponding to central Pennsylvania, populations of the bug are diminishing. One purpose is “Mom Nature’s hit squad,” in accordance with Raupp, is on the job.
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“Praying mantises, issues like murderer bugs in arthropods, like spiders, are actually starting to assault the noticed lanternfly populations and trigger these populations to break down,” Raupp mentioned.
Additionally, a naturally occurring fungus discovered within the soil, which is affecting different bugs, is proving dangerous to the noticed lanternfly.
Raupp mentioned it’s too dangerous this handsome bug is inflicting a lot destruction.
“This bug is drop-dead beautiful, so far as I’m involved. And if it wasn’t such a nuisance and created a lot harm, I might say welcome to America,” Raupp mentioned.
Michigan State football heads out east looking to open Big Ten play with a big-time victory.
The Spartans will play at Maryland on Saturday afternoon in their first conference game of the year. Michigan State enters this matchup with a 1-0 record on the year following last week’s win over Florida Atlantic. Maryland is also 1-0 thus far on the season, picking up a blowout non-conference win over UConn last week.
Maryland enters this game as a more than touchdown favorite depending on the sports book. The Terps have won the last two meetings between these two schools.
Below are the details for Saturday’s matchup between the Spartans and Terps:
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Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET on September 7
Location: SECU Stadium (College Park, Md.)
TV: Big Ten Network
Live Stream: fuboTV (try it free)
Listen: Spartan Media Network or MSUSpartans.com
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Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on Twitter @RobertBondy5.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 24 in Maryland. That’s according to a new suicide prevention action plan produced through the state’s Department of Health.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 24 in Maryland. That’s according to a new suicide prevention action plan produced through the state’s Department of Health.
Scott Poland, the director of the Office of Suicide and Violence Prevention at Nova Southeastern University College of Psychology, talked to WTOP about the action plan he authored with his wife, Donna, who is a career educator.
The “Maryland Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in K-12 Schools” serves as a reference guide to school administrators and the community, and was developed in cooperation with the state health department’s Office of Suicide Prevention.
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Poland said one thing that surprises people is that children as young as 8 years old may consider taking their own lives.
“I hear from school personnel all around the country (asking if they) have to take it seriously (if a fourth or fifth grader is talking about suicide). And the answer is absolutely yes,” Poland said.
Among the data points in the action plan is a survey of students in the “Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey of 2021/2022.” According to that survey, 21% of high school students “seriously considered suicide” in the past year, and 27% of middle schoolers considered suicide at some point in their lives.
Poland said it’s important to talk about suicide with young people, and that the idea that talking about it might encourage a young person to consider suicide is a “myth.”
“When we actually bring it up, it gives someone a chance to unburden themselves, to realize that they’re not alone, that there are alternatives and that there is help available,” Poland said.
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But he said young people are most susceptible to imitating suicidal behavior: “It is important that we not glorify the suicide victim.”
Instead, Poland said, the emphasis after a suicide should be on healing those affected and helping them find appropriate ways to deal with their emotions and mental health.
The plan released this week includes providing intervention action plans for a young person who may be considering suicide.
“Part of that, of course, is removing lethal means and developing a written safety plan with them,” he said.
Poland said that can include helping people understand “the importance of calling 988, doing things that can calm themselves down,” and reaching out to the nearest trusted adult.
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People can reach the national resource for crisis response services and suicide prevention by dialing 988.
Poland said social media is “wreaking havoc” on children’s emotional well-being, often making them feel “not smart enough, not rich enough, not good enough.” Poland said he’s currently working with the state of South Dakota on developing tools to help “young people be a little more mindful and make better decisions about their screen time.”
Poland said parents can help — when it comes to the hours and hours that many people spend online — by modeling healthy amounts of screen time themselves. And he said adults need to think about how they introduce technology to their kids.
“We’re in too (much of) a hurry to give kids smartphones and 24-hour internet access,” Poland said.
“I really have to compliment Maryland,” Poland said, on coming up with the new plan.
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Poland said Maryland does not have an especially high rate of suicide, but “I think we all recognize that losing one young person to suicide is one too many.”
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