Latest news with #spottedlanternfly
Fox News
4 days ago
- Science
- Fox News
Invasive pests could stage dramatic comeback this summer, experts warn
There may be a surge in spotted lanternflies this year after the population previously experienced a significant decline, experts warn. These predictions are based on an increase in egg mass counts at a vineyard in Berks County, Pennsylvania, as Ben Hottel, an Orkin entomologist based in Atlanta, told Fox News Digital. "While it is unclear whether that increase will mean a true surge in populations, experts are asking people to be vigilant as activity rises this season," he said. "People may start to see more lanternfly activity in the weeks to come as the weather continues to warm," Hottel added. An article by the New York Post called them "sex-crazed," and claimed that lanternflies are "back in full force." While lanternflies pose a serious risk to plants and crops, they are not a danger to humans or animals, experts say. The insect does not sting, bite or transmit disease. The National Park Service warns, however, that these invasive insects could pose a threat to agricultural production. "Once established in an area, [the spotted lanternfly] has the potential to dramatically affect forest ecosystems, agricultural production and cultural resources," its website states. Although the lanternfly prefers feeding on the exotic tree of heaven — which is also invasive, meaning it spreads quickly and harms local ecosystems, according to Hottel — it is an "indiscriminate pest" that feeds on over 70 different plant species. They also excrete a substance that causes harmful mold growth on plants, the expert noted. Pest services like Orkin recommend that homeowners remove young tree of heaven seedlings to prevent the spotted lanternfly from invading their property. Northeastern states contain the most established populations, although lanternflies are beginning to spread into other U.S. regions like the Midwest and Southeast. "Spotted lanternflies tend to surge in populations when they invade new areas, and the population tends to decrease after a few years," Hottel told Fox News Digital. Because the insect lays its eggs on hard surfaces like vehicles, firewood, bricks, stones and other items often moved outdoors, humans can easily, and unknowingly, transport the pest. "This means lanternflies can spread more widely to new territories and cause more damage," Hottel warned. "While this might not sound significant, a large-scale die-off of native North American flora and fauna would have an impact on our local ecosystems in a big way." For more Health articles, visit People who think they have seen a spotted lanternfly should call a local pest control office to assist with identification and to address concerns about infestation.
CBS News
10-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
How to protect yourself against bugs in the Pittsburgh area this summer
Bug season in western Pennsylvania is here. Experts explains how to stay safe. Bug season in western Pennsylvania is here. Experts explains how to stay safe. Bug season in western Pennsylvania is here. Experts explains how to stay safe. As the warm weather returns, so do the pesky bugs, and now is the best time to prepare. However, some are already here, including spotted lanternflies. "I know that we're going to have them in the Pittsburgh area, and you know surrounding regions, because I've seen them already," entomologist Dr. Chad Gore said. Gore said right now, you won't see them flying around. "What you're going to see are these little guys that are kind of hopping around on the plants," Gore said. Currently, they're black and white nymphs. Sometime in July, they'll then turn into adults and get their wings and red color. It's too early to predict how prevalent they'll be this year, but Gore said some areas may see more than they have in the past, and others may see less. As for prevention, that can be difficult. "There are very specialized insecticides that can be used to take care of those," Gore said. Gore said you're going to want to take action now, with professionals who can treat your plants using systemic insecticides. Once they're flying, it's too late. Also, you'll want to get rid of trees of heaven, their primary host plant, which is an invasive species. When it comes to ticks, they're a little more problematic at the moment. "We had a little bit of a mild winter, not too cold, and recently, it's been relatively warm with a lot of rain," Gore said. Those can also be good conditions for mosquitoes. On your property, try to remove any standing water. Also, double-check that screens, windows and doors are sealed. "Make sure that the shrubs are trimmed back, that grasses are mowed short," Gore said. Then, protect yourself by wearing repellent with DEET, light-colored and long clothing to avoid any bites. If you go on a trail or hike, check for ticks on the back of your neck and knees, behind your ears, and by your ankles.
The Guardian
19-05-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
Dogs are being trained to weed out eggs of invasive spotted lanternflies in US
The spotted lanternfly, a leaf-hopping invasive pest first detected in the US a decade ago, has steadily spread across the East coast and into the midwest with little getting in its way. But now researchers are deploying a new weapon to slow it's advance: specially trained dogs with the ability to sniff out the winged insect's eggs before they hatch. Harmless to humans, spotted lanternflies can damage trees and fruit crops, and feed on the sap of over 70 different species of host plants. Since late last year, four of the dogs have been scouring parks in the Cleveland area in search of egg masses hidden around trees, shrubs, park benches, landscape rocks and bridge pillars. Each egg mass can produce 30 to 50 spotted lanternflies. So far, the dogs have uncovered more than 4,000 of the masses, meaning they've helped eradicate as many as 200,000 of the sap-sucking bugs that damage grapes, fruit trees, hops and hardwoods, said Connie Hausman, senior conservation science manager at Cleveland Metroparks. In just a few hours in April, the dogs found about 1,100 egg masses at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Hausman said. However, not just any dog can go out searching, she said. 'They all have wonderful noses, but they're not all eligible,' she said. 'They had to pass tests to prove their service.' The dogs were trained through a research project led by a group at Virginia Tech University, which is setting out to slow the spread of the insects that are native to eastern Asia and recognizable for their distinctive black spots and bright red wing markings. A grant from the US Department of Agriculture facilitated the project, unofficially called the Canine Citizen Science Study. Professors at Virginia Tech partnered with researchers at Texas Tech University to call on dog owners to put their pets to work. The four dogs working in Cleveland owned by local residents already had scent training before they worked with Virginia Tech to hone their noses to detect the spotted lanternflies. Once they spot a new mass of eggs, the dogs get a treat from their handlers who scrape away the mud-like masses. Female spotted lanternflies typically start to lay their eggs in late August through November, or until the first frost. While the adults freeze to death in the winter, their egg masses can survive. Spotted lanternflies can lay their eggs on a variety of surfaces, including tree trunks, telephone poles, rocks and the undercarriage of vehicles. Flint, a border collie, was trained to sniff out the offending bugs by owner and trainer Sally Dickinson, who attends Virginia Tech. Dickinson took Flint out to Virginia Tech's agricultural center to test out his sniffing skills. As Flint showed off his impressive olfactory capabilities, Dickinson encouraged dog owners to train their dogs to help eradicate the pests, no matter the breed. 'There is plenty of research out there that indicates that all dogs can smell,' she said. 'Maybe the 'smooshy'-nosed dogs aren't as good in the really hot weather to work for five hours straight, but they can definitely do it.' Virginia Tech News contributed reporting
Washington Post
19-05-2025
- Science
- Washington Post
Four-legged investigators sniff out spotted lanternfly eggs to slow the spread of invasive pest
CLEVELAND — The spotted lanternfly, a leaf-hopping invasive pest first detected in the U.S. a decade ago, has steadily spread across the East Coast and into the Midwest with little getting in its way. But now researchers are deploying a new weapon to slow it's advance — specially trained dogs with the ability to sniff out the winged insect's eggs before they hatch.
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Four-legged investigators sniff out spotted lanternfly eggs to slow the spread of invasive pest
The spotted lanternfly, a leaf-hopping invasive pest first detected in the U.S. a decade ago, has steadily spread across the East Coast and into the Midwest with little getting in its way. But now researchers are deploying a new weapon to slow it's advance — specially trained dogs with the ability to sniff out the winged insect's eggs before they hatch. Since late last year, four of the dogs have been scouring parks in the Cleveland area in search of egg masses hidden around trees, shrubs, park benches, landscape rocks and bridge pillars. Each egg mass can produce 30 to 50 spotted lanternflies. So far, the dogs have uncovered more than 4,000 of the masses, meaning they've helped eradicate as many as 200,000 of the sap-sucking bugs that damage grapes, fruit trees, hops and hardwoods, said Connie Hausman, senior conservation science manager at Cleveland Metroparks. In just a few hours in April, the dogs found about 1,100 egg masses at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Hausman said. Not just any dog can go out searching, she said. 'They all have wonderful noses, but they're not all eligible,' she said. 'They had to pass tests to prove their service.' The dogs were trained through a research project led by a group at Virginia Tech University, which is setting out to slow the spread of the insects that are native to eastern Asia and recognizable for their distinctive black spots and bright red wing markings. The four working in Cleveland owned by local residents already had scent training before they worked with Virginia Tech to hone their noses to detect the spotted lanternflies. Once they spot a new mass of eggs, the dogs get a treat from their handlers who scrape away the mud-like masses.
