As warmer weather inches closer, the Department of Agriculture is warning about the return of the spotted lanternfly.
The invasive insect can cause significant damage to trees and crops.
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said the spotted lanternfly has begun to make its way to the western side of the state.
Butler County has not been named to the quarantine list for lanternflies, but Armstrong and Mercer Counties have.
Redding said last week at an event in Indiana County that his department is still studying why it impacts some areas, and not others.
“Here in Indiana County, as I’m sure as it is in other counties, where you’ll have intense spots of spotted lanternflies and others will say there’s not a problem. And that’s sort of the been the pattern across Pennsylvania,” Redding said. “Why is that? Again, we don’t know.”
Agriculture officials say if you see a spotted lanternfly—kill it right away.
