Parts of Berks County under quarantine due to Spotted Lanternfly

(Harrisburg) — The state Department of Agriculture is quarantining several Berks County townships and communities to try to stop the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly.

Pennsylvania is the first known North American sighting for the insect that’s native to China, India, Japan and Vietnam. The black, red and white spotted pest is about an inch-long.

The insect is considered a threat to grapes, apples, pines, and stone fruits. It often attaches to the bark of Tree of Heaven, sometimes referred to as Paradise Tree, an invasive species similar to Sumac that can be found around parking lots or along tree lines.

Adults often cluster in groups and lay egg masses containing 30-50 eggs that adhere to flat surfaces including tree bark. Freshly laid egg masses have a grey waxy mudlike coating, while hatched eggs appear as brownish seedlike deposits in four to seven columns about an inch long.

Trees attacked by the Spotted Lanternfly will show a grey or black trail of sap down the trunk.

Hereford, Rockland, and Washington townships, and Bally and Bechtelsville boroughs are under the quaratine, on top of District and Pike townships.

“We’re taking every possible precaution to stop its spread and eliminate this threat to agriculture,” saysAgriculture Secretary George Greig. “Help us by looking for adult insects and their egg clusters on your trees, cars, outside furniture – any flat surface that the eggs may be attached to. We know we’re asking a lot, but we know Pennsylvanians will assist us and help save our fruit trees, grapes and forests.”

Any material or object that can transport the pest cannot be moved out of the quarantined area. It includes firewood or wood products, brush or yard waste, remodeling or construction materials and waste and any outdoor household articles like lawnmowers, grills, tarps and any other equipment, trucks or vehicles not stored indoors.

Businesses in the quarantine area need to obtain a Certificate of Limited Permit from the state in order to move articles. Criminal and civil penalties of up to $20,000 and prison time can be imposed for violations by businesses or individuals.

The department released several suggestions for people who come across the Spotted Lanternfly:

If you see eggs: Scrape them off the tree or smooth surface, double bag them and throw them in the garbage, or place the eggs in alcohol or hand sanitizer to kill them.

If you collect a specimen: Turn the adult specimen or egg mass in to the department’s Entomology Lab for verification. First, place the sample in alcohol or hand sanitizer in a leak proof container.

If you take a photo: Submit photo of adults or egg masses to badbug@pa.gov <mailto:badbug@pa.gov>.

If you report a site: Call the Bad Bug hotline at 1-866-253-7189 with details of the siting and your contact information.

Greig adds while Pennsylvanians can submit suspect eggs to the department headquarters in Harrisburg or to its six regional office locations, county Penn State Extension offices are often a closer, quicker option.