Recently, scientists advised Americans to squash the annoying, plant-eating Spotted Lanternfly. Due to an increase in cases of Spotted Lanternflies entering the United States, this notification has been issued. These insects were first found in South-East Asia, according to ABC News.
In 2014, they crossed the border into the US when they arrived in Pennsylvania. The insects have since been discovered in other regions of the nation, specifically the Northeast, which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia.
The New York City Parks Department’s website provides advice on how to handle spotted lanternflies. The division declared:
“While it is generally forbidden to harm wildlife in our city, the current recommendation is to squash and dispose of spotted lanternflies if you notice them in order to slow the spread of this problematic species.”
In Pennsylvania, the Spotted Lanternfly was originally discovered
Although the bugs arrived in the USA for the first time in 2014, they are essentially new to the nation. The species can quickly reproduce by laying eggs practically everywhere, which has raised severe concerns.
The “boom-bust cycle,” which indicates that they might produce a swarm of their kind soon enough, has increased the quantity of the insects this year, according to Anne Johnson, a PhD student in the department of entomology at Pennsylvania State University, via Gizmodo.
The female lanternfly can produce between 40 and 50 eggs per clutch between September and October, according to ABC News. Typically, the eggs hatch in the spring.
If they get more numerous, the species may destroy forests, parks, and agricultural land. They haven’t been reported to bite or sting anyone, though. They mostly injure plants because they leave behind a sticky substance called “honeydew,” which subsequently turns into mold and kills trees and other plants by preventing photosynthesis.
Navy Captain Smokey Moonpie
Captain Smokey Moonpie @drbitch98
The spotted lanternflies in Philadelphia are constructed very differently from those in New York. In New York City, they don’t even jump, so you can easily squash them. Killing a spotted lanternfly in Philadelphia requires agility, strength, bravery, resilience, focus, and coordination.
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The species may have arrived on stones that were shipped to the USA as hidden egg masses, according to entomologists.
Efforts made to stop the spotted lanternfly’s spread
An intensive workshop to train volunteers to collect the invasive pests has been begun by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.
Richard Ball, the agriculture commissioner for New York, said that an effort was made to stop the species’ unusual expansion. Added him:
“This groundbreaking initiative is a fantastic next step in New York’s fight against the spotted lanternfly. Our long-term attempts to stop the spread of this invasive species have relied heavily on the people.
Ball noted their plans and added:
“By broadening this call to action, we can both increase the amount of ground we are covering while continuing to spread knowledge about and promote awareness of SLF throughout New York. I appreciate the efforts of our volunteers and urge New Yorkers to enroll in training programs and begin conducting surveys.
But the battle against the species is far from ended in New York. NBC News reports that an additional $22 million is needed to combat the species. According to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer:
The Spotted Lanternfly now poses a multi-million dollar danger to New York’s economy, putting both agriculture and tourism at risk.
According to reports, several researchers have also urged people to scan their vehicles for Spotted Lanternfly eggs that may have gone undiscovered. Cars can have eggs laid on the sides or the bottom.