USDA Details 5-year Battle Plan Against Spotted Lanternfly

It’s been less than a year since a startling discovery was made in Michigan.

On August 10, 2022, a small population of spotted lanternfly (SLF) — an invasive plant hopper native to eastern Asia — was discovered in Oakland County.

The news put nursery operations and fruit growers on high alert because of the insect’s history of destruction for grapes, apples, forest operations, and Christmas trees, among nearly 70 other crops.

SLF can cause direct damage by sucking sap from host plants and secreting large amounts of a sugar-rich, sticky liquid called honeydew. This honeydew, and the resulting black sooty mold, can kill plants and foul surfaces while often attracting other pests like yellow jackets, flies, and ants, affecting outdoor recreation and complicating crop harvests.

Since 2014, when the first domestic infestations were reported in southeastern Pennsylvania, spotted lanternfly has spread rapidly, leading to discoveries in 13 additional states, according to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

With that spread in mind, the APHIS Spotted Lanternfly Strategic Planning Working Group has put together a 5-year plan to combat SLF, prioritizing the following goals:

Effectively limit the advancement of spotted lanternfly and efficiently respond to its introduction within Federal and State authority and resource availability.

Support continued scientific research towards practical management and risk mitigation.

Establish a consistent national and State-level outreach message and educational campaign for the public and industries at risk for spreading spotted lanternfly.

To reduce the spread, APHIS and states will create a framework to prevent human-assisted movement, promote public reporting and early detection, and continuously leverage the latest research and management tools available. APHIS noted that resources available to fight the spread of SLF are limited and said developing a strategy in coordination with the States to address this invasive pest is critical.






Source: michiganfarmnews.com

Photo Credit: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture