Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has approved a grant for Penn State to study the effects of the spotted lanternfly on cabernet franc, the grape variety that is usually blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon wines, writes Kiley Koscinski for WHYY.

Penn State Extension has been studying the negative impacts of the pest since it first arrived in Pennsylvania from native Asia seven years ago. During that time, researchers determined that the insect feeds on several economically important crops, including cucumbers, hardwoods, ornamentals — and grapevines.

The invasive pest has caused serious damage to the state’s vineyards. It has reduced starch concentrations in vine roots, lowered crop yields, and increased susceptibility to frost damage.

In the most severe infestations, vines simply wither and die.

The grant provides Penn State with $108,161 to continue studying how to best manage and suppress the insect’s population close to vineyards.

The funding is one of 13 grants, totaling $1,925,319, approved by Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for different projects in the Keystone State’s wine, beer, and cider industries.

The projects cover a range: from industry promotion to improving hops production to the color of certain red wines.

More about the spotted lanternfly and vineyard health is at WHYY.

There was an outbreak of Spotted Lanternflies outside a Chipotle in University City back in September 2020.