I have been in New York for over 20 years, and I’ve never seen a lantern fly. Last week I saw one, by the weekend I saw 3 or 4 a day. Today I must have seen 100 and I’m not exaggerating. This is wild, there may already be more of these pests than people and the numbers are growing even faster. They destroy plants and trees and are from China.
NYC is in real trouble. Here is a picture of a Lantern Fly. if you live in Ny and haven’t seen one yet, I’ll bet you see a hundred by the weekend.
Here is an article from last month.
Scientists have a message about the spotted lanternfly: If you see one, squish it.
While that may sound harsh for bug lovers out there, experts say spotted lanternflies can be devastating to agriculture.
It's a good idea if you can kill them, to do that," Brian Eshenaur, a senior extension associate for ornamental crops at Cornell University's pest management division, told ABC News.
The New York City Parks Department offers similar guidance on its website.
"Harming our city's wildlife is broadly prohibited, but in an effort to slow the spread of this troublesome species, the current guidance remains: if you see a spotted lanternfly, please squish and dispose of this invasive pest," the department says.
New York state's Department of Agriculture and Markets, Department of Environmental Conservation and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation launched a program this year to train volunteers on how to identify and track the invasive species in the state.
The invasive species originated in Asia but was first found in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in 2014 and soon after in other states in the Northeast, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Virginia
The insect, known scientifically as the Lycorma delicatula, feeds on at least 70 different species of trees, as well as vines and shrubs, including fruit trees, grapevines and several hardwoods, according to a report from the University of Michigan.
The lanternfly isn't dangerous to people and pets, experts say. The insect is viewed as more of a nuisance since they don't bite or sting.
MORE: Washington officials rush to capture invasive 'murder hornets' ahead of mating season
So if you plan on being vigilant for spotted lanternflies this summer, here are some key things to know.
Keep an eye out in backyards and parks
The bugs gather in large numbers and can be found in backyard trees and in parks, where they feed on trees and ooze a sugary substance called honeydew, which then can cause a sooty mold that can land on lawn furniture or your car, Eshenaur said.
The female lantern fly can lay between 30 and 50 eggs each, usually between September and October. The eggs hatch in the spring, where baby lanternflies called nymphs emerge, before becoming fully grown around July, according to the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board.
NYC is in real trouble. Here is a picture of a Lantern Fly. if you live in Ny and haven’t seen one yet, I’ll bet you see a hundred by the weekend.
Here is an article from last month.
Scientists have a message about the spotted lanternfly: If you see one, squish it.
While that may sound harsh for bug lovers out there, experts say spotted lanternflies can be devastating to agriculture.
It's a good idea if you can kill them, to do that," Brian Eshenaur, a senior extension associate for ornamental crops at Cornell University's pest management division, told ABC News.
The New York City Parks Department offers similar guidance on its website.
"Harming our city's wildlife is broadly prohibited, but in an effort to slow the spread of this troublesome species, the current guidance remains: if you see a spotted lanternfly, please squish and dispose of this invasive pest," the department says.
New York state's Department of Agriculture and Markets, Department of Environmental Conservation and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation launched a program this year to train volunteers on how to identify and track the invasive species in the state.
The invasive species originated in Asia but was first found in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in 2014 and soon after in other states in the Northeast, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Virginia
The insect, known scientifically as the Lycorma delicatula, feeds on at least 70 different species of trees, as well as vines and shrubs, including fruit trees, grapevines and several hardwoods, according to a report from the University of Michigan.
The lanternfly isn't dangerous to people and pets, experts say. The insect is viewed as more of a nuisance since they don't bite or sting.
MORE: Washington officials rush to capture invasive 'murder hornets' ahead of mating season
So if you plan on being vigilant for spotted lanternflies this summer, here are some key things to know.
Keep an eye out in backyards and parks
The bugs gather in large numbers and can be found in backyard trees and in parks, where they feed on trees and ooze a sugary substance called honeydew, which then can cause a sooty mold that can land on lawn furniture or your car, Eshenaur said.
The female lantern fly can lay between 30 and 50 eggs each, usually between September and October. The eggs hatch in the spring, where baby lanternflies called nymphs emerge, before becoming fully grown around July, according to the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board.
