{"id":263338,"date":"2026-08-11T16:32:12","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T16:32:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/263338\/"},"modified":"2026-08-11T16:32:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T16:32:12","slug":"why-spotted-lanternflies-remain-a-threat-to-pennsylvanias-trees-crops-and-economy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/263338\/","title":{"rendered":"Why spotted lanternflies remain a threat to Pennsylvania\u2019s trees, crops and economy"},"content":{"rendered":"

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BAYONNE, NJ – SEPTEMBER 24: Spotted lanterflies try to walk up a wall on September 24, 2022, in Bayonne, New Jersey. (Photo by Gary Hershorn\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n

PENNSYLVANIA – Spotted lanternflies<\/a> may be familiar to many Pennsylvanians, but state agriculture officials say the invasive insect continues to threaten plants, outdoor spaces and industries that support the state\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n

What we know:<\/p>\n

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive planthopper native to Asia. It was first discovered in Pennsylvania\u2019s Berks County in 2014, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.<\/p>\n

The insect feeds on sap from many plants, with a strong preference for grapevines, maples, black walnut, birch and willow, the department said. That feeding can stress plants, weaken their health and, in some cases, kill them.<\/p>\n

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Vince Burkle, of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, holds an adult spotted lanternfly found in Huntington, Indiana, on Aug. 17, 2022. (Andy Lavalley\/Post-Tribune\/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) <\/p>\n

Why it is a threat <\/p>\n

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture<\/a> says spotted lanternflies can affect the state\u2019s grape, fruit tree, plant nursery and timber industries.<\/p>\n

Those industries contribute billions of dollars to Pennsylvania\u2019s economy each year. A 2019 economic impact study estimated the insect could cost the state $324 million annually and more than 2,800 jobs if it is not controlled.<\/p>\n

Spotted lanternflies also leave behind a sugary waste called honeydew. The substance can build up on surfaces below the insects, attract bees, wasps and other insects, and lead to sooty mold and black-colored fungi.<\/p>\n

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Spotted Lanternfly sits on stem seen at country garden in Sangju, South Korea, on July 17, 2026. (Photo by Seung-il Ryu\/NurPhoto via Getty Images) <\/p>\n

What residents can do <\/p>\n

State officials urge residents to destroy spotted lanternflies and their egg masses when they find them.<\/p>\n

People in quarantine areas should inspect vehicles, trailers and outdoor items before moving them within or out of those locations because the insects can easily hitch a ride, according to the department.<\/p>\n

Residents can report sightings online through the state\u2019s spotted lanternfly reporting tool or by calling 1-888-4BAD-FLY.<\/p>\n

The push for more research <\/p>\n

In 2023, U.S. Sens. John Fetterman and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania joined a bipartisan group in introducing the Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act<\/a>. The bill sought to make the insect a high-priority research initiative for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, with the goal of helping limit its spread and damage.<\/p>\n

The Source: This article was written using information from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and a 2023 release from Sen. John Fetterman\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

Pennsylvania<\/a>Wild Nature<\/a>