FREEHOLD, NJ – Rutgers
Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County has been receiving an increasing
number of reports from concerned citizens about the spotted lanternfly. The
spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect that is native to China, India, and
Vietnam. In 2014, it was accidentally introduced into Pennsylvania and has
since spread to New Jersey. The spotted lanternfly is not harmful to humans or
animals, but it can
feed on the sap of more than 70 plant species including grapes, fruit trees, ornamental
landscape plants, and hardwood trees.
Monmouth County Commissioner Lillian
G. Burry has been working with the agricultural community to address the
challenges they are facing due to this invasive pest.
“This is not a matter to take
lightly,” said Commissioner Burry. “Stopping the spread of the spotted
lanternfly will require a coordinated public effort to prevent economic losses
to our local farms and businesses.”
Recently, New
Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher announced the NJ Department of
Agriculture (NJDA) has added Monmouth County to the spotted lanternfly
quarantine zone, which also includes Morris, Middlesex,
Essex, Union, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Salem,
Somerset, and Warren.
“The spotted
lanternfly’s excellent hitchhiking skills on all types of transportation have
allowed it to spread, making it necessary to expand the quarantine zone,”
Fisher said. “While we have crews working throughout the state to treat
infestations of the spotted lanternfly, we are seeking the public’s assistance
by asking anyone who sees this pest to destroy it whenever possible.” Additionally,
it is important to inspect your vehicle for the presence of spotted lanternfly
before traveling out of the quarantine zone to reduce its spread to other areas.
Businesses that
regularly travel in and out of the quarantine zone are also required to obtain
a permit by completing this free online spotted lanternfly training: https://extension.psu.edu/slf-permit-training-nj
Soon the spotted lanternfly adult
females will begin to lay eggs. An adult female spotted lanternfly can lay up to three egg masses during
its life cycle, and each egg mass contains between 30 and 50 eggs. While the
adult spotted lanternfly cannot survive the winter, the egg masses do survive
and hatch in the spring.
Scouting for their egg masses and destroying them (as well as destroying the adult spotted lanternflies),
will help prevent the spread of this invasive pest. For instructions on how to
scrape and destroy egg masses you can watch a video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoFp_MbDiE8
If you see a spotted lanternfly, report the sighting
to NJDA using their online reporting tool: https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/prog/pests-diseases/spotted-lanternfly/#reporting-tool
Additional information regarding
control options and management strategies for the spotted lanternfly can be
found on the NJDA website: https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/prog/pests-diseases/spotted-lanternfly/homeowner-resources/
and on the Rutgers Spotted Lanternfly Website: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/spotted-lanternfly/
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