Even with concerted efforts to control the spread of the invasive spotted lanternfly in the United States, this pest species has been expanding its range, ravaging trees and vineyards in new territories.
Based on current distribution patterns, experts project that the spotted lanternfly will have reached California by 2033, threatening an $85 billion wine industry, The Washington Post reported.
What’s happening?
The spotted lanternfly, originating from Asia, was first spotted in Pennsylvania in 2014, likely transferred from shipping containers carrying imported goods, according to the National Invasive Species Information Center.
The lanternfly has since spread to 15 states, particularly concentrated in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, per the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It has also spread southward, reaching as far south as South Carolina.
Lanternflies feed primarily on the tree of heaven — also an invasive species — but will switch to other hardwood trees, including maple, willow, black walnut, black cherry, and more.
According to the Washington Post, the pest insect has also developed an affinity for grapevines, seeking its sap, which puts grapes and vineyards particularly at risk.
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Virginia, one of the oldest wine-growing regions in the nation, has been dealing with lanternfly infestations in its vineyards for the third year in a row, threatening the state’s $8 billion wine industry.
Experts fear that if or when the spotted lanternfly reaches California, which is an even larger-scale wine production region, the pest insect could decimate the local wine industry, which is valued at $85 billion, per the Washington Post.
Why are spotted lanternfly infestations concerning?
The spotted lanternfly can infiltrate vineyards and damage vines, which affects crop yields and production.
Reduced grape production for several years in a row — as Virginia had experienced — can increase the cost of wine production, a price passed on to consumers.
If the infestation reaches even larger-scale wine industries, such as California’s vineyards, it will magnify economic losses.
Penn State’s College of Agricultural Studies estimated that the spotted lanternfly can cost Pennsylvania at least $324 million annually and cause the loss of nearly 3,000 jobs. These figures could reach $554 million in annual economic losses and almost 5,000 jobs.
In New York State, the spotted lanternfly can cause losses of up to $8.8 million in the third consecutive year of infestation, according to the Cornell Chronicle.
Invasive species, such as the spotted lanternfly, can damage properties and crops, as well as spread diseases that threaten native species in the ecosystem.
What can I do to help?
There are several ways you can help manage the spread of the invasive lanternfly. Whenever you see one, stomp on it and kill it. This includes smushing any egg masses you might see.
“They should not be here,” explained Dr. Kathy Heinsohn, an entomologist at American Pest, per the Washington Post. “And they’re causing … a lot of problems.”
Some states, such as Pennsylvania or New York, have dedicated reporting links to help track the movement of lanternflies, helping authorities better understand the creature’s full life cycle.
Another way to limit the spread of the spotted lanternfly is to remove any tree of heaven plants in your garden or backyard, discouraging these intruders from settling. Native plant species are a much better option for a healthy yard.
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Dining and Cooking