© Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal
Syndication: Lansing
NEW YORK (77WABC) — U.S. officials blame a shipment of stone originating in China sent to Pennsylvania for brining the lanternfly into the country. It’s been spotted in nine states with the U.S. Department of Agriculture issues orders to swat it if spotted.
Spotted lanternflies were first seen on Staten Island in August 2020 and have since been spotted across the five boroughs, Long Island, and the Northern Suburbs.
The agriculture department is partnering with other state and federal agencies to control the spread of lanternflies to other areas. Officials say the bug feeds on 70 species of plants, including crops that are important to New York state’s agricultural economy.
Anyone who sees a spotted lanternfly is asked to fill out a survey so the Department of Agriculture can continue to collect data on areas most affected.
