The Delaware County Conservation District began working with the United States Department of Agriculture May 29 to assess properties in Delaware County for the Spotted Lanternfly.

Lycorma delicatula, known as the Spotted Lanternfly, is a new invasive insect that has spread throughout southeastern Pennsylvania since its discovery in Berks County in 2014.

The species was discovered in Delaware County in 2018. The Spotted Lanternfly presents a significant threat to Pennsylvania agriculture, including the grape, tree-fruit, hardwood and nursery industries, which generate agricultural crops and forest products worth nearly $18 billion annually.

The insect can also damage high-value ornamentals in home landscapes.

Properties will be inspected for Spotted Lanternfly and for Tree-of-Heaven, an invasive tree that harbors invasive insect species, including the Spotted Lanternfly.

Tree-of-Heaven six inches in diameter or less will be treated with herbicide. Larger ones will be treated with pesticide.  Tree data will also be collected.

Assessments have been completed at Upland Park. Assessments at Catania Park, Willow Park, Clayton Park, Shrigley Park and property outside of the Emergency Services Training Center begin next week.

Adult Spotted Lanternfly and nymphs can be mechanically destroyed, such as swatting it with a shoe.  You can scrape an egg mass into a bottle that can be sealed or mechanically destroy it.

Visit www.extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly for more information.

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