Invasive species have been an issue for the past few centuries. Their impact wasn’t fully understood until around the mid 20th century. Humans are one of the main contributors to their spread. According to National Geographic, “an invasive species is an organism that is not indigenous, or native, to a particular area. Not all non-native species are invasive.” They must “adapt to a new area easily, reproduce quickly, and harm property, the economy, and/or native plants and animals” to be considered invasive. They have no natural predators, which allows them to reproduce without restrictions, leading to overpopulation of the species. They can be introduced to a new environment in a number of different ways. These ways include accidental transfer on a vehicle, as a natural type of pest control, or as released and/or escaped pets. Some prime examples of this would be zebra mussels which were accidentally introduced by ship to the Great Lakes. Another example would be burmese pythons and lionfish, both either escaped or were released by their owners into the wild down in Florida. In 1935, cane toads were brought to Australia as pest control for sugarcane crops. These invasive species have a large supply of food and nothing to stop them from multiplying. It should be noted that not all non native species are invasive.
In 1998, the brown marmorated stink bug or BMSB, was first found in Allentown, Pennsylvania. This bug is native to Asia and was accidentally introduced to the states. BMSBs have become so common most people might not realize that they are an invasive species. Because they are an established species, eradicating them may be near impossible. People can keep their homes free of them by ensuring cracks, windows and entrances are well sealed.
While some invasive species have become so common most don’t realize they're
invasive, others have become more problematic. In the past year, the majority of people have probably heard the name Spotted Lanternfly. The Spotted Lanternfly is a bug native to areas in south eastern Asia. It was first found in 2014 in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Spotted Lanternflies feed on sap from a variety of plants. This can cause plant death or encourage the growth of mold due to the substance they excrete. Lanternflies themselves pose no threats to humans. The main concern is their effect on plants. They have “a strong preference for plants” such as “grapevines, maples, black walnut, birch and willow.” An impact study from 2019 showed that they “could cost the state $324 million annually and more than 2,800 jobs” (Agriculture.PA.Gov).
To avoid this outcome or to at the very least reduce this impact, report any lanternfly sightings to this link or call 1-888-4BADFLY, then immediately kill it. Whether you smash it with your shoe or hit it with a stick, just kill it in some way. Always check your car before going anywhere; lanternflies can easily spread this way. Certain areas of the state have been put under quarantine. This map allows you to see what areas are under quarantine. You can enter any address in Pennsylvania to see if it’s under quarantine. If an area is under quarantine take extra care when checking for Spotted Lanternflies.
Though most Spotted Lanternflies are seen as adults, it’s important to know what they look like in other stages. Egg masses are laid on a variety of different hard surfaces, including trees, rocks, poles, etc. They start off covered in a white putty-like substance, which dries out and cracks. The eggs are laid during the fall and winter and hatch in late spring and early summer. If you see this, scrape it off.
Lanternflies go through four instars, or stages. The first three last from about May through July. Spotted Lanternflies hatch at only a few millimeters in length and grow to be around 1/4 inch. They are solid black with white spots and are very strong jumpers. From around July through September, they enter the fourth instar. In this stage, they become around a 1/2 in. long and turn red. In addition to their new color, they have black stripes and white dots. By fall, lanternflies take on their better known form. Adults are around an inch long with brown colored forewings that have black spots. The underwings are their signature red color with black spots.
Lanternflies pose a great threat to Pennsylvania’s economy, as well as the economies of neighboring states, so if you see one, report and kill it.
All information from-National Geographic, Agriculture.PA.Gov Alert, Agriculture.PA.Gov, & Penn State Extension