PSA for anyone living in the eastern half of the United States

[Hikiko]

This is a spotted lanternfly. It feeds on trees that people use for various important purposes, such as fruit trees, pine trees, and ornamental trees. The species is native to China but has spread to the US and is wreaking havoc on the fruit and logging industries. If allowed to spread, lanternflies will cause serious damage to apple, cherry, plum, and pine trees - among many others, leaving the US with a shortage of fruit and timber. They are currently found in Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, and are likely to spread farther. Check your vehicle, clothes, and other items frequently when travelling through these areas and before you leave states where they are found. Kill these insects on sight - they can't hurt you and can't fly very far, so they're good hunting practice! And you'll be doing something good for the environment while you're at it.

Read more here:" USDA APHIS | Spotted Lanternfly"USDA APHIS | Spotted Lanternfly

 

[MikaKoinu]

Thank you for the information! I live in NC. I haven't seen any yet, but I'll keep an eye out.

 

[Unstable_Day]

well im fricked lol /j ill try n keep an out out too ; p

 

[irkeneon]

Thanks for the heads up, looks like they still aren't in the south yet thankfully but I'll keep that in mind since we've got a lot of fruit trees we use

 

[axol_alterhuman]

thanks for the psa! havent seen any in california yet but if they fly over here i'll be ready. after all bats are known hunters of insects!

 

[Slash Pine]

Super helpful! And thank you so much for linking an article to this. I've seen allot of posts in my gardening groups about those bugs, thankfully I haven't seen anything that looks like those lanternflys yet. Now I know how to properly identify them thanks

 

[Beepy Data Center]

I have a ton of fruit trees in my house here in Florida. Will keep an eye out for them.