The spotted lanternfly is back. The invasive bug has been spotted in New Jersey and other parts of the country. Moreover, the officials are urging people to immediately kill a spotted lanternfly if they see one. You might be wondering why.
Kill it! Squash it, smash it…just get rid of it: Department of Agriculture
Discovered in 2014, the invasive Asian insect has spread to numerous counties since then. New Jersey is on a crusade against insects. This is because they are frequently spotted on or near beaches. Also, the spotted lanternfly can feed on and even kill about 70 different types of vegetation or trees. Yes, it is true that it does not harm humans or animals, it is invasive. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture says lanternfly is not native to the U.S. and comes from Asia.
The Department of Agriculture has released an advisory on its website. It says, “What else? Kill it! Squash it, smash it…just get rid of it. In the fall, these bugs will lay egg masses with 30-50 eggs each. These are called bad bugs for a reason, don’t let them take over your county next.”
Lanternfly is an insect native to China
Scientifically known as Lycorma Delicatula, the lanternfly is native to China. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, these insects generally feed on a variety of fruit, ornamental and woody trees, with tree-of-heaven being a favorite host.
The department announced this week that it will grant funding to all counties in the state to help control the spotted lanternfly invasion. Counties could receive between $15,000 and $ 50,000 for chemical treatment activities against the bugs.
“The more participants we have in this program, the stronger our fight will be against this invasive menace,” state Agriculture Secretary Douglas Fisher said.