Allegheny County has been under lanternfly quarantine for several years, and by 2025 it still had the highest number of reported sightings of any county in Pennsylvania, according to the Pittsburgh Post‑Gazette. While reports have dropped from tens of thousands to several thousand in recent seasons, state officials warn that the insects remain a serious threat and are not going away.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture describes the spotted lanternfly as an invasive planthopper first detected in Berks County in 2014 that now feeds on more than 70 plant species, including grapevines, maples, black walnut and other trees critical to the state’s economy. Their sap‑sucking damage can cause oozing sap, wilting, leaf curling and dieback in trees and vines, while the sticky “honeydew” they excrete encourages black sooty mold that coats decks, play equipment and plants and affects quality of life outdoors.
A Penn State–linked economic study estimates that, if left uncontrolled, lanternflies could cost Pennsylvania about 324 million dollars annually and more than 2,800 jobs, particularly in grapes, fruit trees, nursery plants and timber.
For residents in Allegheny County and Pittsburgh, the guidance is blunt: See it, report it, kill it.
The state urges people to stomp adults, scrape egg masses, remove tree‑of‑heaven host plants and always check vehicles and outdoor equipment before traveling, then report sightings online or by calling 1‑888‑4BADFLY.
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This article by Gabby Sartori was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lanternflies surge again in Allegheny County, state warns