Spotted lanternfly in New York: 7 key questions answered as state expert steps in
STATEN ISLAND, NY – As the spotted lanternfly continues to increase in numbers across New York, an expert from the state recently shared insightful information about the invasive species.
The spotted lanternfly was first discovered in New York State – on Staten Island – in 2020, and is native to China and Southeast Asia. The invasive hopper is known to be hard to spot, harder to kill, and bad for the environment.
New York State has been monitoring the spotted lanternfly with a number of agencies since its discovery, including the Department of Agriculture and Markets, Department of Environmental Conservation, Recreational Parks and Preservation. Historic and Department of Transportation Thruway Authority.
According to Chris Logue, director of plant industry at the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
Thea Baird of Tottenville told Advance/Silive.com in June that hundreds of lantern nymphs were “everywhere, everywhere” in her garden. The destructive insects have now taken on their familiar red coloration throughout the borough.
In fact, they are currently so prevalent on Staten Island that Councilman Joe Borelli is urging the city to help control pests here.
Not only are they a nuisance, but they also pose a threat to plants and crops essential to New York’s agricultural economy, such as vines, hops, apple trees and maples, the Department of Agriculture warned. New York State agriculture.
What is the danger of the Mottled Lantern?
The leafhopper feeds on more than 70 different plant species with its piercing, sucking mouthpart.
“It basically feeds on the sap of plants, and that’s important from the point of view of the type of damage it does, the direct feeding damage, which has been seen in grapes in particular, is really a big concern for us,” Logue said.
But there are also secondary damages, Logue explained. The spotted lanternfly creates honeydew, which falls on the plant matter it feeds on. Honeydew, which is a sweet substance, can actually reduce photosynthesis.
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets focuses primarily on the impact of the spotted lanternfly on the wine and grape industry, which is estimated to be worth approximately $300 million.
“We are always concerned about invasive species,” Logue said. “This one is particularly difficult, because it moves in different ways. And also it is very visible. and Markets is the agricultural impact…”.
What preventive measures can I take?
If you see a Mottled Lantern, you can just smash it.
So, if you spot an egg mass, you should immediately scrape it off its surface.
- Scrape the eggs using scraper cards or any other hard, conical and/or flat object.
- Kill eggs by putting them in lined bags, alcohol/hand sanitizer, or by breaking or burning them.
“Anything you can kill before mating and egg laying will really have a potential benefit in reducing the population in the future,” Logue said. “I would advise people not to try superhumanly and do anything dangerous in this regard. Anything you can do in terms of dealing with your own properties – taking into account all the security measures and things of that nature.
He said it’s important to always check your vehicle, wheel arches, your car’s grille, hood and windshield, air vents and more for the lantern-spotted fly before leaving a infested area.
“What you’re really looking for is anything that’s possibly alive that’s kind of crouched in there that won’t be ejected from the vehicle during the trip,” he said. “It’s really, really important. And then later in the season, in the fall after the eggs are laid, if you’re camping or boating, hunting, whatever and you’re going to be traveling and hauling that camper because that’s sitting outside in a positive area for spotted lanterns. You want to examine that vehicle for egg masses and make sure it’s clean before you leave.”
If I live in an infested area, what should I do before travelling?
New York State is in the middle of its adult flying season, so it’s important that residents traveling the rest of the summer and into the fall, especially in wine and wine regions, or areas vegetable farms like the eastern Long Islander or upstate in the Hudson Valley or Finger Lakes regions – to inspect vehicles before they depart.
“Inspect your vehicles to make sure you don’t have an adult Mottled Lanternfly hitchhiking with you…” Logue said. ” It’s really important. For people who live in infested areas, we want to minimize the spread as best we can. »
And later in the fall comes the spawning season. Residents should look at vehicles or goods left unused, such as recreational vehicles or boat trailers, which may have egg masses.
Scraping off egg masses “makes a difference in populations going forward,” Logue said.
What pesticides should I use?
The spotted lantern is a delicate insect and fairly easy to control with insecticides, Logue said.
He recommended the pesticides following the advice of the Cornell Cooperative Extension program or the New York State Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, urging people to download the spreadsheet, Labeled Spotted Lantern Fly Insecticides Registered in New York State for Commercial and Household Use, June 2022. It includes brands like Actara Insecticide, PYClear, Altus, Hero Insecticide, Optrol Insect Control, Ortho Home Defense and more.
“I’m hesitant to make a specific recommendation because there are regional differences and certainly differences when it comes to your goals for your property,” Logue said.
Will there be around 40 Dappled Lanterns?
About 40 spotted lanternflies are not yet in place in New York State. But it’s not impossible, especially since New York borders quarantined states.
The state has implemented an outdoor quarantine, which restricts the movement of goods imported into New York from other infested states. It requires regulated items, such as packaging materials, landscaping and construction equipment, and nursery stock, to have inspection certificates issued by affected states.
Indeed, Mottled Lanterns can be easily carried on outdoor goods and equipment, and even hitchhiked on vehicles.
An inland quarantine — which would create restrictions and preventative measures between New York counties — has been drafted, but is not currently in place, according to Logue.
“We are looking at what our survey information looks like coming out of this 2022 season,” he said. “There’s a national effort that’s going to start here in the next two weeks to assess the Dappled Lantern and do some strategic planning on what’s working and what’s not, and we’re kind of going to see what that process looks like, and then let’s make our decision regarding the internal quarantines.
Is the Mottled Lantern a danger to humans or animals/pets?
The spotted lantern does not carry any diseases that would impact domestic or wild animals, Logue said.
“They have a piercing, sucking mouthpart, but they are food plants,” he said. “These aren’t animal feeders, so you’re not going to get bitten by a spotted lanternfly. In early Pennsylvania, there were concerns about the spotted lanternfly in a hay bale and things like that. No problem as far as animal health is concerned, and as far as we know at this stage, no problem if the dog or cat consumes them. If the dog or cat consumes large quantities, it will probably have some problems, but nothing life threatening.”
Should I report a spotted lanternfly sighting or infestation?
If you live in New York City, an area that is already infested, you do not need to submit any reported sightings of the spotted lanternfly to New York State.
If you live in upstate New York or eastern parts of Long Island, the state requires residents to submit sighting reports.
“We know he has a presence in New York – we continue to get many reports from New York,” Logue said. “And we’re asking that those reports be downplayed a bit, because we want to prioritize tracking upstate reports, and especially the areas around our wine regions, which are very important for us to actively protect in right now. So if you’re upstate or in [eastern] Long Island, we really urge you to report this to us, so that we can follow up with our investigation.
If you think you’ve found a spotted lanternfly in areas of New York with no established infestation:
- Take photos of the insect, egg masses and/or signs of infestation as described above (include something for scale like a coin or ruler) and email spottedlanternfly@ agriculture.ny.gov.
- Or complete the declaration form from the Ministry of Agriculture and Markets.
- Note the location (address, intersecting roads, landmarks or GPS coordinates).
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