What to Do About Spotted Lanternfly Sightings

The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula (White), is an invasive planthopper native to China, India, Vietnam that was discovered in 2014 in Pennsylvania in Berks County, and has spread to other counties including Montgomery County. Residents are seeing Spotted Lanternflys throughout Cheltenham Township and Montgomery County, which are currently under quarantine. 

The quarantine is in place throughout Pennsylvania to stop the movement of Spotted Lanternfly to new areas within, or out of the current quarantine zone, and to slow its spread within the quarantine. The best advice for residents and business owners is to destroy and  report any Spotted Lanternflys. 

The quarantine affects a variety of vehicles and other conveyances, plant, wood, and stone products. The quarantine may be expanded to new areas as further detections of the Spotted Lanternfly are confirmed.  More Info on Quarantine and Industries.

Guides from PennState Extension on Spotted Lanternfly Management:
Spotted Lanternfly Management for Homeowners
Spotted Lanternfly Management for Landscapers
Spotted Lanternfly Management Calendar
Spotted Lanternfly Management Pesticide Safety
Spotted Lanternfly Checklist for Quarantine Area Residents
Useful Links

What Is Being Done
Penn State University and Extension, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and PA Department of Agriculture (PDA) have joined forces to control and contain the spread of SLF.  Penn State University is leading the research efforts currently underway to answer the many questions we have about the insect’s biology, pesticide studies, and the ability of the insect to adapt to the environment in Pennsylvania. SDA and PDA are actively treating locations where SLF has been reported.  USDA is treating on the outer edges where the populations are small and will begin to move inward towards the center of the quarantine.  PDA is treating areas where the population numbers are high and is targeting high risk pathways which may contribute to moving the insect to other locations.

What Can Be Done
Spotted Lanternfly can be controlled with a combination of physical removal of life stages and host trees, as well as pesticide applications.  Penn State Extension has developed information for homeowner management as well as a management calendar. Use of these management techniques are important to assist PDA and USDA in control of the spread of this invasive pest.  

Businesses also play an important role.  Business owners should incorporate pest management into their vegetation management plans and work to minimize the possibility of this insect hitching a ride on products they produce and ship. Businesses who ship products within and out of the quarantine zone are required to have or hire companies who have a Spotted Lanternfly Permit.  

How You Can Help
This insect is easily moved if no one is looking.  If you are in the quarantine area, please “Look Before You Leave.” Inspecting your vehicles, trailers, or any outdoor items before you move around or out of the quarantine is important.  If possible, don’t park in tree lines and keep windows rolled up when you park your vehicle.  Know the life stages of the insect and when to look for them.

Using the recommendations developed by Penn State Extension, take control measures on your own property.  Any efforts you make in destroying the Spotted Lanternfly or it’s egg masses helps your property and community.

Report sightings of the Spotted Lanternfly.  All reports of SLF outside of the quarantine are taken seriously and will be investigated.  Reports within the quarantine are registered in a database for USDA and PDA.  The database is used to help determine properties for treatment.  Treatment is based on location, risk, and available funds.  

 Please join the effort to control and prevent the spread of Spotted Lanternfly.  We need everyone to protect their properties, communities, and the Commonwealth from this invasive insect that has the potential to change our landscape and quality of life.