![]() World map of possible spotted lanternfly establishment. Our lab group used MAXENT to predict the potential distribution of oriental fruit moth, and apple maggot, and predictions have been more accurate than anything previously," said Wakie.Įleven European countries and large parts of the Northeast United States and the Pacific Northwest were found to be prime habitat for SLF establishment in place of tropical locales with MAXENT. "There are numerous examples where new populations of species were discovered following MAXENT predictions. MAXENT has proven to be much more accurate at predicting where species are likely to spread compared to 16 other methods on 266 species. ![]() "But we made use of a more complex model called MAXENT that depends on a wider number of environmental factors including temperature, elevation and rainfall as well as the current known locations of the species. "Earlier attempts to predict the spread of the spotted lanternfly using a less sophisticated model had indicated a potential for the pest to become established in warmer areas such as southeastern Florida and in tropical countries," Wakie said. Within the United States, SLF could eventually become established in most of New England and the mid-Atlantic states, the central United States, and Pacific coastal states, explained ecologist Tewodros Wakie with the ARS Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research Unit in Wapato, Washington, who led the project. There is the potential for far reaching economic damage if the SLF becomes widely established in the United States. USDA and State partners have been working to contain SLF populations since 2014. These insects are pests of many agricultural crops including almonds, apples, blueberries, cherries, peaches, grapes and hops as well as hardwoods such as oak, walnut and poplar, among others. The SLF, originally from China, has spread to Korea and Japan, and has been found most recently in the United States in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and Delaware. Do your part to slow the spread by complying with the SLF quarantine relations.Areas in the United States that have been identified as possible spotted lanternfly habitat. In addition to Pennsylvania, SLF is also found in New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Connecticut, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and West Virginia. Counties within the quarantine zone include: Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mifflin, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Pike, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Union, York, Washington, Wayne, and Westmoreland. The quarantine affects vehicles and other conveyances, plant, wood, stone products and outdoor household items. The quarantine is in place to stop the movement of SLF to new areas within or out of the current quarantine zone and to slow its spread within the quarantine. SLF is currently found in 51 counties in Pennsylvania, all of which are under a state-imposed quarantine. The honeydew also builds up and promotes the growth for sooty mold (fungi), which can cover the plant, forest understories, patio furniture, cars, and anything else found below SLF feeding. ![]() ![]() The feeding damage significantly stresses the plants which can lead to decreased health and potentially death.Īs SLF feeds, the insect excretes honeydew (a sugary substance) which can attract bees, wasps, and other insects. It has a strong preference for economically important plants including grapevines, maple trees, black walnut, birch, willow, and other trees. The spotted lanternfly uses its piercing-sucking mouthpart to feed on sap from over 70 different plant species. If not contained, spotted lanternfly potentially could drain Pennsylvania’s economy of at least $324 million annually, according to a study carried out by economists at Penn State. SLF is a serious invasive pest with a healthy appetite for our plants and it can be a significant nuisance, affecting the quality of life and enjoyment of the outdoors.
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