Officials in the State Agriculture Department are asking residents to be on the lookout for the return of spotted lanternflies.
As the weather warms, the invasive species is on its way back. The spotted lanternfly poses a threat to the agricultural industry due to its ability to destroy grape vines, fruit trees, and other plants.
Agriculture officials say the best way to combat the spotted lanternfly is to kill them when they’re still small and in their nymph phase.
Officials estimate that the spotted lanternfly causes more than $300 million in damages each year in the state.
Butler County was added to the quarantine list this past winter.
