The lanternfly, also known as Lycorma delicatula, is an invasive insect that you should get rid of right away if you ever see one.
This insect originally comes from China but was first spotted in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014. Since then, it has spread to other areas, causing a lot of harm to agriculture and ecosystems. Lanternflies are dangerous because they feed on the sap of many different plants and trees, which weakens the plants over time.
As they feed, they excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which leads to the growth of sooty mold. This mold can cover the plant’s leaves, blocking sunlight and interfering with photosynthesis, the process by which plants make their food. This makes it even harder for the plants to stay healthy.
Lanternflies are quite easy to identify. When fully grown, they are about an inch long and have gray wings with black spots. When they open their wings, you can see bright red and black colors underneath. Before they reach adulthood, they go through a nymph stage.
At first, the nymphs are black with white spots, but they turn red as they get closer to becoming adults. One of the key features of lanternflies is their needle-like mouth, which they use to pierce the stems and leaves of plants to suck out the sap, draining the plant’s energy.
If you see a lanternfly, it is important to act quickly. The best way to handle the situation is to kill the insect on the spot. You can squash the adults and nymphs by stepping on them or using your hands with gloves.
Another important step is to destroy their egg masses, which look like small gray patches that resemble dried mud. If you find these egg masses, scrape them off into a bag filled with alcohol or hand sanitizer to make sure the eggs are killed.
Taking action against lanternflies is essential because they pose a serious threat to plants and the environment.
By eliminating them when you see them, you can help protect trees, crops, and natural ecosystems from the damage these insects can cause. Your quick response can make a big difference in preventing further harm.
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