If this Invasive Insect Spreads to New Hampshire and Maine, It Could Be Really Bad
This is the Spotted Lanternfly. Don't let its pretty appearance fool you as this invasive insect would wreak havoc on New Hampshire and Maine.
It could be really, really bad and they just found one in Vermont.
'Remove And Destroy'
This is a strong order from the USDA, in which they recommend crushing any and all nymphs or adult insects that you come into contact with.
The best way to eliminate any egg masses is to scrape them off and seal them in a Ziploc style plastic bag with a small amount of alcohol-based solution like hand sanitizer. Anything with isopropyl alcohol will work fine.
In 2014, spotted lanternflies were first discovered in Southeast Pennsylvania and have caused major damage to orchards, vineyards, and hop growers.
They've been found in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
According to this Boston.com article, one was just discovered in Rutland, Vermont, on August 19th, on a box from a delivery truck.
Thankfully, the insect that was found in Vermont appears to be an isolated stowaway case, as the agriculture agency set up acres of traps around the area, and thus far they haven't seen any more Lanternfly activity.
As of this article, there haven't been any Spotted Lanternflies reported in New Hampshire.
There were egg masses found in Maine in 2020, according to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, but there have been no live Spotted Lanternflies found in Maine either.
The reason this insect is a major problem is that it is lacking in natural predators in this area of the world, as it is native to the eastern hemisphere.
Believe it or not, chickens have been identified as a possible predator as well as the praying mantis.
From what I've seen these pests do to trees in Pennsylvania, I don't think there are enough chickens in the world to take out that kind of destructive storm.
Unlike the Murder Hornets, which fight us face to face, these things are after our beer and wine crops. They must be stopped at all costs.
Keep a lookout, and report it if you see one!