Spotted lanternflies making comeback in Western Pa.
The spotted lanternfly has again been spotted in Butler County.
Swarms of the invasive insect have been spotted throughout Cranberry Township, prompting the township to issue an action alert on its website Wednesday.
“They’re not just a nuisance,” the post warned, they "pose a threat to the environment and the economy.“
While the insects may look harmless at first glance, agriculturalists will tell you they are anything but. Spotted lanternflies are considered a threat to all plant life, especially those that are vital to agriculture. While they are especially partial to the tree of heaven, which also is an invasive species, spotted lanternflies are by no means picky eaters and are known to chow on more than 70 plant species.
As they feed on plants, they excrete “honeydew,” a sweet substance which can attract other insects to the plants and cause further damage, eventually leading to plant death.
“The population is likely to increase as they find preferred host plants,” said Diane Dallos, Master Gardener coordinator at Penn State Extension’s Butler County office. “So when they find trees of heaven and other species that they like to live in, it's likely that they're going to breed in increased populations in those areas.”
Butler County was added to Pennsylvania’s spotted lanternfly quarantine zone in early 2023 after the Department of Agriculture reported confirmed sightings in Cranberry and Jackson townships last year.
Residents have shared their encounters with the invasive species on social media. One reported a spotted lanternfly flying into their face at a Planet Fitness. Another reported seeing two in their workplace in Seven Fields. Clusters of spotted lanternflies also have been sighted outside Rowan Corporate Towers in the township.
Spotted lanternfly sightings have also been reported in Pittsburgh, southern Allegheny County and Westmoreland County. Residents have reported swarms of lanternflies on vehicles, exterior walls, homes and even at Kennywood amusement park in West Mifflin.
A study by economists at Penn State University calculated that spotted lanternflies could cause about $324 million in economic damage if adequate measures are not taken to contain them.
Spotted lanternflies are native to East Asia and arrived in the United States in 2014, when they reportedly arrived in Berks County through an overseas shipment of goods. Since then, the species has spread to 14 states and 51 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, all of which are on the state quarantine list.
While adult spotted lanternflies have wings and can fly, their most common means of transportation and spread is by hitching onto human transportation, such as cars and trains. This is why measures are in place to prevent commercial vehicles from accidentally transporting the creatures back and forth.
As part of Pennsylvania’s quarantine, businesses working within the quarantine zone are required to obtain a spotted lanternfly permit. Residents are encouraged to check their vehicles during long trips to make sure that they haven’t accidentally brought any spotted lanternflies with them.
“People really need to be vigilant about checking their cars, checking their campers, their outdoor equipment, boats and such that they’re moving in and out of areas for spotted lanternflies,” Dallos said. “They will stay attached to cars for many miles, which enables them to leave areas and find new homes.”
The best advice she offers for residents is simply to kill spotted lanternflies on sight, whether they have hatched or not. Masses of lanternfly eggs should be hard to miss — they generally look like dark smears of mud.
To report a spotted lanternfly sighting to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, call 1-888-4BAD-FLY (1-888-422-3359).
What to do when you spot a spotted lanternfly
— Destroy it/them.
— Report the spotted lanternfly sighting to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Call 1-888-4BAD-FLY (1-888-422-3359).
