Spotted Lanternfly Quarantines, Like the Pesky Bugs Themselves, Continue to Spread Across Pennsylvania

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woman with flashlight under truck
Image via U.S. Department of Agriculture at Creative Commons.
Inspection of commercial vehicles crossing state lines has been an effective way to tamp down transportation of spotted lanternflies.

As the infestation of summer’s most annoying bug continues, more and more Pennsylvania counties declare spotted lanternfly quarantines. Keira Wingate reported the developments for USA Today.

Pennsylvania currently has 34 counties in lanternfly quarantine, with many of them added to the list this year. Neighboring New Jersey is also recording the spread of the invasive insect and recently added five more counties to its quarantine list, bringing the total to 13.

“The spotted lanternfly’s excellent hitchhiking skills on all types of transportation have allowed it to spread, making it necessary to expand the quarantine zone,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher.

The notorious insect — which is not dangerous to humans or pets but is deadly to many plants — first appeared in Pennsylvania in 2014. Because it can spread easily, the pest quickly made its way to northeast and mid-Atlantic areas.

Residents in quarantined counties are asked to look for the insect or its eggs before moving outdoor items from quarantine areas.

They are also encouraged to squash any egg masses they might find around their homes, including on trash cans, dog houses, and kiddie pools.

Read more about spotted lanternfly quarantines in USA Today.

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