Allegheny, Beaver added to Spotted Lanternfly quarantine zone
Posted on: March 3, 2020 | Written By: Doug Oster |
Allegheny and Beaver Counties were two of the 12 counties added Tuesday to Pennsylvania’s Spotted Lanternfly quarantine zone.
Allegheny and Beaver counties are two of 12 counties recently added to the Spotted Lanternfly quarantine zone. Photo courtesy of PA Department of Agriculture
According to the official news release from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the new counties are not completely infested, but have a few municipalities with a known infestation. Allegheny, Beaver, Blair, Columbia, Cumberland, Huntingdon, Juniata, Luzerne, Mifflin, Northumberland, Perry and York have been added to the quarantine for 2020.
If the insect is seen, the DOA asks that it be killed and reported. Call 1-888-4BAD-FLY (1-888-422-3359) or report a sighting here and also see photos of the lanternfly in different stages of maturity.
The pest is an invasive species native to China, Bangladesh and Vietnam. It was first found in Pennsylvania in 2014.
More information from PA DOA
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture reported the following about the pest: the Spotted Lanternfly causes serious damage in trees. In addition to tree damage, when spotted lanternflies feed, they excrete a sugary substance, called honeydew, that encourages the growth of black sooty mold. This mold is harmless to people; however it causes damage to plants. In counties infested and quarantined for Spotted Lanternfly, residents report hundreds of these bad bugs that affect their quality of life and ability to enjoy the outdoors during the spring and summer months. Spotted Lanternflies will cover trees, swarm in the air, and their honeydew can coat decks and play equipment.
In addition to damaging trees and affecting quality of life, the Spotted Lanternfly is a huge threat to Pennsylvania agriculture industry. They threaten billions of economic impact and hundreds of thousands of jobs for those in the grapes, apple, hops and hardwood industries.
Doug Oster is editor of Everybody Gardens, a website operated by 535Media, LLC. Reach him at 412-965-3278 or doster@535mediallc.com. See other stories, videos, blogs, tips and more at everybodygardens.com.
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