Invasive Spotted Lanternfly Now Calls Phoenixville Home

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Numerous reports of the devastating spotted lanternfly have become increasingly common in the Phoenixville area in recent weeks.

While the bug is not new to the area, as both Montgomery and Chester counties are under state quarantine, the sightings represent a disturbing persistence of one of the region's most pestilential invasive species. The quarantine restricts movements of material that could spread the pest, but the bugs are still finding ways to spread.

Nymph and adult spotted lanternflies cause extensive damage when they feed, sucking sap from stems and leaves and causing the plant to ooze and weep. Not only does the plant die but the "fermented odor" caused by the feeding, along with the fluid excreted by the insects themselves, promotes mold growth and draws even more insects, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The roughly inch-long plant hopper is a native to China, India, and Vietnam.

Phoenixville-area residents who find spotted lanternflies are asked to take a photograph if possible, immediately destroy them, and then alert the State Department of Agriculture at 1-888-4BAD-FLY(422-3359).

In addition to ecological degradation, the lanternfly can have a significant economic impact. The bug threatens Pennsylvania's $20.5 million grape industry, $134 million apple industry, $24 million stone fruit industry, and $12 billion hardwood industry, agriculture officials said.

Patch file photo