USDA Says: If You See This Bug, Crush It Immediately!!!

Meet the Spotted Laternfly.

Approximately 1" long and 1.5" wide with black spotted light brown or scarlet wings, the spotted laternfly is an invasive species that the USDA is cautioning people to "stop, scrape, squash" and generally destroy the bug should they come in contact with them. The bug is originally native to China, but was first found in Pennsylvania in September 2014 and is known as the "hitchhiker bug", laying eggs on almost any flat surface (such as vehicles, sides of box cars, propane tanks & outside equipment). The bugs feed on a wide range of fruit and trees and could destroy the grape, orchard and logging industries. The spotted lanternfly has also been spotted in New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, New York, Connecticut, and Ohio. The bugs do not sting or bite, thankfully.

The USDA is cautioning people to crush both the adult and nymphs (seen above); and to scrape off any yellow-brown egg masses and douse them in rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.


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