‘Invasive pest’ spotted in Georgia for first time —
by Tanasia Kenney updated Nov. 15. 2024
and you should kill it, experts say.
State agriculture officials in Georgia are advising residents to be on the lookout for an “invasive” insect.
An “invasive” pest has made its way into the Peach State, and Georgia officials are asking the public to send it packing. Despite its “visually striking wings,” the Spotted Lanternfly can pose “a serious risk” to trees and plants, the Georgia Department of Agriculture said in a Nov. 14 news release.
The insect was spotted in Fulton County back in October, marking the first confirmed detection in the state, officials said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the detection on Nov. 14. “We urge anyone who sees the Spotted Lanternfly in their area to document it, report it, and kill it,” Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said in the release.
Though they’re not harmful to people, lanternflies ooze a sticky residue called “honeydew” when they feed on plants, according to the department. The honeydew attracts other insects and promotes mold growth, causing further harm to trees and other plants.
Their diet includes hops, stone fruits and hardwood trees, officials said.
A known “planthopper,” the Spotted Lanternfly was first reported in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since spread to 17 states including North Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee, according to officials. “Controlling the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly is our best strategy for safeguarding Georgia’s agriculture industry, and we are asking for the public’s help in this effort,” Harper said in the release.
Georgia residents can report sightings of the invasive insect here. https://www.gainvasives.org/slf/report/
HOW TO SPOT A SPOTTED LANTERNFLY
Young spotted lanternflies, called nymphs, are black with white spots and turn red as they grow, according to Georgia’s Department of Agriculture. Adults can grow up to an inch long and have brown forewings with dark spots, officials said. Their tell-tale hind wings are red with black spots with black and white bars near the back.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU SEE A SPOTTED LANTERNFLY
Officials advise Georgia residents to take these steps if they find the invasive species:
Take a photo.
Kill it.
Report it to the Georgia Department of Agriculture.https://www.gainvasives.org/slf/report/
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