HUDSON VALLEY- Spotted lanternflies have reached their most visible—and perhaps most irritating—stage of the year.
Native to Southeast Asia, the insect is believed to have arrived in the United States about a decade ago in a shipment of stone goods from China. It first appeared in Pennsylvania and has since spread so rapidly that experts say controlling it has become increasingly difficult. Until recently, the public was asked to report sightings in Putnam County to help track the pest’s spread. That is no longer necessary: spotted lanternflies are now widespread and abundant.
“The rate of spread has been remarkable,” said Jennifer Lerner, Senior Resource Educator for the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Putnam County. “Even though each lanternfly has only a one-year lifespan, it’s a vigorous year. They are plant hoppers and will deposit eggs anywhere and everywhere. Their wings emerge in the last stage of their development, and then they lay their eggs in September and October – on trees, rocks, outdoor furniture, boat trailers and vehicles. People then move the egg masses unknowingly and the spread multiplies. It’s the proverbial vicious cycle.”
The Spotted Lanternfly feeds on the apple, peach maple, timber and walnut trees, which can ultimately be lethal to the tree. It also affects some important agricultural crops, such as grapes and hops.
“While pesticides might be a solution for farmers in defense of their crops, it’s not an answer for the rest of us,” said Ms. Lerner. “There are just too many and the population is too widespread. There are some officials who are calling for people to squash them when they see them, but unless it makes you feel better, there’s no point to it.”
Is there any good news? Invasive insects do not sting or bite humans. And, as with the gypsy moth, nature may eventually restore balance. Years ago, when caterpillar populations reached extreme levels, a virus or fungus helped curb the outbreak. Experts hope a similar natural check may help control spotted lanternflies.
“Believe it or not, there is a potential natural phenomenon, but we haven’t seen it occur yet,” said Ms. Lerner. “The parasitoid wasp is a half a millimeter long insect which we know has a laser focus on the egg nests of some pests, including importantly the spotted lanternfly. They infiltrate and nests and kill the eggs. And this insect has no harmful effects on humans. So, it’s a favorable solution.”
There have been extreme instances when the wasp was released into an environment by humans to control unmanageable situations. Most recently in some locations, they were used to reduce the emerald ash borer and lily leaf beetle populations.
“There is a fairly comprehensive process that has to occur before that sort of measure is taken,” said Ms. Lerner. “Our hope is that nature takes its course. Until then, we urge people to be aware of transporting them unwittingly.”
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