PSA: Be on the Lookout for Spotted Lanternfly Eggs and Adults This Summer
Despite being a warning for California, it’s crucial for everyone, including residents of Oregon, to stay vigilant this summer for the invasive spotted lanternfly, an insect so destructive that New Yorkers have been instructed to kill any on sight.
Recently, the eggs of this invasive insect were discovered for the first time in California on a 30-foot-tall metal art installation destined for the Bay Area. The egg masses were initially found at the Truckee Border Protection Station in late March. California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) reported that staff at the station found 11 “viable egg masses” on the sculpture coming from New York.
Upon discovery, the shipment was redirected to Nevada, where officials found 30 more egg masses on other parts of the sculpture. The installation underwent a thorough cleaning with detergent before being sent to Sonoma County under a warning hold. During another detailed inspection, Sonoma County staff discovered three additional egg masses. The inspection concluded only when staff were confident that no egg masses remained.
This incident is significant as it marks the first time spotted lanternfly eggs have been found in California. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has developed an action plan to respond to any sightings of these insects, including deploying an emergency response and initiating eradication measures in affected counties.
Native to China, India, and Vietnam, the spotted lanternfly was first spotted in the U.S. in 2014 in Pennsylvania. It feeds on various plant species and can cause severe damage to crops, especially vineyards, which is particularly concerning for California’s wine industry. These insects have already caused catastrophic damage to vineyards in South Korea and Pennsylvania.
If any egg masses managed to enter the state undetected, live spotted lanternflies might hatch in the coming weeks. These insects typically experience peak population growth from late summer to early fall.
“This is essentially a public service announcement to raise awareness of how to identify a spotted lanternfly and the immediate action to take if discovered,” stated CAWG President Natalie Collins. These insects pose a significant threat to vineyards by feeding on grapevine sap and leaving a sticky residue, which stresses the plants and can lead to plant death.
Spotted lanternflies look different at various life stages, with adults being tan-gray with black spots. The CDFA advises inspecting plants, trees, vehicles, and trailers for egg masses or other signs of the bug and reporting any suspected sightings to the CDFA pest hotline.
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Stay vigilant this summer to help protect our local agriculture from this invasive threat.
Reference Article:
https://www.reddit.com/r/oregon/comments/1dhbb8r/pest_that_new_yorkers_were_told_to_kill_on_sight/