As spotted lanternflies continue to spread around the country, several states have issued kill-on-sight orders to prevent any further expansion of the invasive insect, writes Greg Atoms for 96.5 KVKI.

Spotted lanternflies are still considered relatively new in the United States. Their first sighting was nine years ago and since then, the bugs have devastated crops in more than a dozen states, including Pennsylvania. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, multiple types of crops and trees are at risk from spotted lanternflies, including Almonds, Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Grapes, Hops, Oak Trees, Peaches, and Willow Trees.

The species is native to Asia and is assumed to have been brought into the country through a shipment of some kind. Now, the fast-multiplying insect is having little trouble making its way across the nation.

The initial infestation started right here in the Philadelphia area, from where it spread through the Northeast and is now moving south. Currently, the spread seems to be into North Carolina, and it is happening on the Tennessee border.

Anybody who notices these insects should report the sighting to the USDA so they can track its spread and kill the bug on sight.

Read more about spotted lanternflies at 96.5 KVKI.

Here’s what to do if you come across a spotted lanternfly.

Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on DELCO Today in June 2023.