It’s one of the most invasive pests in Pennsylvania right now, but state agriculture officials believe a new system will help stop it from invading.
The spotted lanternfly is known to cause significant damage to trees, grapevines, and other planted crops. But, Jay Losiewicz of the state agriculture department says a circle trap may be one of the best tools to stop the spotted lanternfly.
“This is actually a modified pecan weevil trap, and the idea is that as the lanternfly climb up the tree they will get captured inside the circle trap,” Losiewicz said. “It’s safer for other animals so they are not getting captured in there as well.”
Currently, Butler County is excluded from the state’s spotted lanternfly quarantine list, but the insect has become more prominent in Western Pennsylvania over the past years—with Westmoreland County recently joining the list last year.
