UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A new online newsletter offered by Penn State Extension will give readers “the scoop” on the spotted lanternfly.
Launching the week of May 4, the monthly “Spotted Lanternfly Newsletter” will feature content developed Penn State Extension educators and College of Agricultural Sciences researchers.
Readers will receive the latest information on research and extension activities related to the spotted lanternfly, how to manage it on farms, home landscapes and other properties, how to comply with quarantine regulations, what is being done to stop it, and more. Information is delivered through articles, how-to videos, photos, webinars and fact sheets.
“The spotted lanternfly newsletter is another tool we are using to keep citizens, businesses and agricultural producers informed on timely management information so they can better manage the spread and damage of this pest,” said Heather Leach, spotted lanternfly extension associate.
To subscribe to the newsletter, visit https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly.
The spotted lanternfly, also referred to as SLF, is an invasive insect from Asia that first was found in North America in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 2014. The pest since has spread to at least 26 Pennsylvania counties, as well as to New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia.
Economists warn that this insect, if not contained, could drain Pennsylvania’s economy of at least $324 million annually and cause the loss of about 2,800 jobs. At risk are agricultural commodities — including grapes, tree fruit, nursery plants and hardwood lumber — as well as natural habitats, parks and backyards.
To manage spotted lanternfly populations, minimize associated damage and keep SLF from spreading beyond currently quarantined counties, Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Penn State Extension have partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and USDA to research the insect's biology and behavior, evaluate management tactics, and educate growers and other businesses, local officials, and the public.