Found last fall in Georgia, invasive bug raises new concerns
AUGUSTA, Ga. - An invasive insect that’s a threat to agriculture has been spotted this season in at least 17 states.
That’s after it was seen for the first time in Georgia last fall.
The adult bugs die over winter but their eggs survive.
As of April 11, the insects and their egg masses have been found this spring in:
- Arizona
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
- West Virginia
The Georgia Department of Agriculture said a spotted lanternfly was found Oct. 22 in Fulton County.
Since being found in Pennsylvania in 2014, the insect has spread.
“We urge anyone who sees the spotted lanternfly in their area to document it, report it, and kill it,” Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said.
You can report it online at https://www.gainvasives.org/slf/report/.
Although the bug doesn’t pose a direct threat to humans, it feeds on a variety of plants, including grapes, hops, stone fruits and hardwood trees.
Its feeding weakens these plants and produces a sticky, sugary fluid that encourages the growth of sooty mold, further harming crops.
Adult lanternflies die with the first hard frost, but their eggs remain viable throughout the winter.
So there could be some larvae hatching soon in Georgia.
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Officials advise residents to look for and destroy lantern eggs before they hatch.
Scraping and smashing them is easy and requires no tools.
The egg masses can be found on a variety of surfaces including trees, rocks, vehicles, equipment and lawn furniture.
CNN contributed to this report
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