When I was field collecting in PA this past weekend, I got to see a lot of these pretty, yet horrible invasive insect. This is Lycorma delicatula, or the Spotted Lanternfly. This pest was introduced from Asia, and has established itself all over PA, as well as been detected in several other states. The preferred host of this pest is Ailanthus, or Tree of Heaven, however they’ll feed on virtually any plant. This pest is sort of like an aphid in the sense they suck the sap of trees. They’ll also leave large gross areas on trees which quickly mold, damaging the tree. If you see one of these and aren’t in the PA quarantine zone, consider reporting it to your states agricultural department. #Lycorma #Lycormadelicatula #SpottedLanternfly #SLF #Agriculture #Pest #Invasive #InvasiveInsect #Pennsylvania #PAnature #Hemiptera #Bug #Insect https://www.instagram.com/p/B1ZWlCbA5Zv/?igshid=1060xtci02792

Sometimes I get to do fun things at work :-)

For our fellow Mid-Atlantic entomologists and bug enthusiasts, be on the lookout this summer for a potentially terrible invasive, the spotted lanternfly. 

A little closer to home for us Mid-Atlantic folk, but something to be aware of for those traveling through the area when the weather warms up. A new invasive species that is predicted to become a major agricultural and garden pest in the area has been discovered in an adjacent state, and additional studies may reveal ecological damage from its invasion in the future. 

This is an invasive species native to Asia. It showed up in Pennsylvania in 2014.