New Federal Legislation Could Help Curb PA's Spotted Lanternfly Problems

PENNSYLVANIA — Pennsylvania's two U.S. senators, Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Dave McCormick, want to increase efforts to control the spotted lanternfly population across the state and nationwide.

The pair, along with Democratic senators Ron Wyden of Oregon and Kristin Gillibrand of New York, recently introduced the Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act.

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The bill would designate the spotted lanternfly as an invasive species that poses a significant threat to the nation's agricultural economy and designate the planthopper as a high-priority initiative for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

"Spotted lanternflies have ravaged crops that are critical to Pennsylvania's economy including grapevines, apples, peaches, hops, and more" Fetterman said in a statement.

"For over a decade, they have cost the Commonwealth millions of dollars and thousands of jobs. I'm proud to lead this bipartisan bill to combat this invasive species and protect our farmers."

McCormick said that with Pennsylvania farmers working to produce some of the best agricultural products in the world, "It's concerning that their hard work is at risk of being eaten away be pests.

"By investing in research to combat spotted lanternflies, this bill will help protect our farms, strengthen our agricultural economy, and better control this invasive species."

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the spotted lanternfly - native to Asia - first was observed in Pennsylvania in 2014 in Berks County. According to Fetterman's office, spotted lanternflies now can be found in 51 of the state's 67 counties.

The spotted lanternfly feeds on sap from various plants but strongly prefers many that are important to the state's economy, including grapevines, maples, birch and willow. Their feeding can trigger health risks and death in plants.

The agriculture department says that the insect can impact the grape, fruit tree, plant nursery and timber industries, which contribute billions of dollars each year to Pennsylvania's economy.

A 2019 economic impact study estimated that, uncontrolled, the spotted lanternfly could cost the state $324 million annually and more than 2,800 jobs.