The invasive Asian insect known as a spotted lanternfly has been discovered at Ridley Creek State Park , reports Jennifer Joyce for Fox20 Philadelphia.

The lanternfly has the potential to destroy trees and kill crops. It was first discovered in Berks County but has spread.

A Sunday hike in Ridley Creek State Park took a gross and disturbing turn for Regan Campbell and his wife.

“There were literally hundreds covering two trees. It was overwhelming,” Regan told FOX 29.

He jumped on social media to warn his neighbors.

“It looked like literally trees being devoured, covered in black rain, wet substance called honeydew, which is really bug poop — pretty gross,” he said.

State officials said the insect threatens $18 billion worth of agricultural commodities such as grapes.

Ten minutes from the park sits the Inn at Grace Winery.  General Manager Cody Testerman said the USDA has preemptively visited the vineyard, tagging and treating the pest’s preferred food source, sap from ‘Tree of Heaven’ which grows on the outskirts of the property.

So far, the winery has been unaffected.

For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. To report a spotted lanternfly, call 1-888-4BAD-FLY or click here.

Read more about the infestation here.

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