Spotted Lanternfly is in Cameron County

 

Spotted Lanternfly has been spotted in Cameron County. 

 To help contain this invasive insect, the District is asking the community to be on the lookout. Below is important information on the spotted lanternfly and pictures (courtesy of Heather McKean) to help you identify the insect and its feeding source. If you have any questions regarding this post, please call the District at 814-486-2244 or email Jim Zoschg Jr. at jzoschg@cameroncd.org 

On October 10 employees of Mckean Environmental Services detected the presence of spotted lanternflies along 2nd Street in the town of Driftwood in Cameron County. After killing the 25 spotted lanternflies they found, owner, Heather Mckean of Smethport, reported the finding to the Cameron County Conservation District and to appropriate state authorities. On October 14 Department of Agriculture employees returned to the site to confirm the finding. They killed an additional 67 adult lanternflies and destroyed 7 egg masses from ailanthus (tree of heaven) trees at the site. Ailanthus, itself an invasive species and Pennsylvania State Noxious Weed, is the preferred host tree of the spotted lanternfly. 

The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive planthopper insect that is native to Asia. It was first discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014 in Berks County and had spread to 26 counties across the Commonwealth prior to its detection this past week in Cameron County. The discovery of the insect in Cameron County marks the first time it has been found north of Interstate 80 in the state. 

The spotted lanternfly feeds on sap from a myriad of different plants with a strong preference for economically important plants including grapevines and maple, black walnut, birch and willow trees. Feeding damage significantly stresses the plants which can lead to decreased health and in some cases, death. Populations of this exotic pest have the potential to greatly impact the viticulture (grape), fruit tree, plant nursery and timber industries, which contribute billions of dollars each year to PA's economy. A recent economic impact study estimates that, uncontrolled, this insect could cost the state $324 million annually and more than 2,800 jobs. 

Spotted Lanternfly populations also pose significant quality-of-life frustrations for residents of areas where the insect has established itself. The impact of its large populations and feeding habits can force even the most ardent nature lovers to stay inside. When feeding, SLF excrete honeydew, sugary waste which attracts bees, wasps and other insects. The honeydew builds up on anything below the insects: plants, forest understories, decks and patio furniture, and vehicles. This build-up leads to the growth of sooty mold, black-colored fungi, on those items. The Spotted Lanternfly adult is approximately 1" long and 1/2" wide at rest. Their forewings are grey with black spots and the wing tips are reticulated black blocks outlined in grey. The hind wings have contrasting patches of red and black with a white band. The legs and head are black; the abdomen is yellow with broad black bands. Immature stages are black with white spots, and develop red patches as they grow. Spotted lanternfly egg masses look like unevenly-spread mortar smeared on an outdoor surface. The egg masses contain 30-50 eggs and are protected with a mud-like covering, giving them their grey color and cracked-mortar appearance. They can be destroyed by scraping them into a container and saturating them with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. The invasive insect can easily be transported to new locations through the movement of vehicles or materials that contain adult and larval insects or egg masses. 

Twenty-six counties in Pennsylvania are currently under a quarantine due to Spotted Lanternfly populations. As an effort to curb its spread, businesses, organizations and agencies working within these areas that move products, vehicles, and other articles within or out of these quarantined counties are required to obtain a spotted lanternfly permit in order to continue their operations. Although spotted lanternflies survive on other tree species, the invasive insect is closely linked to tree of heaven populations in its native range in Asia. In Pennsylvania researchers have found that the spotted lanternfly develops quicker and can more effectively reproduce when tree of heaven populations are present. However, it still poses a serious threat to areas that do not have ailanthus trees. There are only a handful of ailanthus populations in Cameron County. The largest of these sites are located within Driftwood and adjacent areas of Gibson Township. 

The Cameron County Conservation District and Bucktail Watershed Association are currently conducting outreach to landowners who have the tree of heaven on their properties and are seeking permission to work to eradicate this invasive tree and favored host species of the spotted lanternfly. The work has now taken on greater importance since last week’s discovery of the spotted lanternfly.

 Landowners who find ailanthus trees on their property can call the Conservation District at 486-2244 to report the tree. Anyone who finds spotted lanternflies should kill as many as possible, save a dead specimen for identification, and report the finding to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture by calling the agency’s spotted lanternfly hotline at 1-888-422-3359.