Did you know that there’s an invasive insect called the lanternfly that is causing serious damage to agriculture and ecosystems in the United States? Native to China, this insect made its way to Pennsylvania in 2014 and has been wreaking havoc ever since.

The lanternfly feeds on plant sap, which weakens trees and plants, while also promoting the growth of harmful sooty mold. This can have a devastating impact on our environment. That’s why it’s important to take immediate action if you ever come across this insect.

So, how do you identify a lanternfly? The adults are about an inch long and have gray wings with black spots. They also have red and black underwings, which make them quite distinctive. On the other hand, the nymphs are black with white spots, but they turn red before maturing.

To combat the lanternfly, it’s crucial to squash both the adults and nymphs when you see them. Additionally, it’s important to destroy their egg masses, which look like gray mud smears. One effective way to get rid of the eggs is by scraping them into a bag filled with alcohol or hand sanitizer. This will ensure that they are killed and cannot hatch.

By acting quickly and effectively, we can help protect our environment from the further harm caused by the lanternfly. Together, let’s keep our trees, plants, and ecosystems safe from this invasive insect.