Spotted Lanternflies Challenged In Chatham With Committee Members' How-To On Trapping Them

CHATHAM, NJ — Throughout New Jersey, towns and counties have been reminding their residents to snuff out the destructive Spotted Lanternfly when they encounter them.

Two members of Chatham Township Committee who have both been involved with the Environmental Commission, Kathy Abbott and Celeste Fondaco, created a step-by-step how-to video, on creating a Spotted Lanternfly trap.

First, they offer a view on their video of how a Spotted Lanternfly exactly appears, with it spotted on its wings, but its back underneath a vibrant red hue.

The Lanterfly’s favorite food is an invasive plant itself, according to Abbott’s and Fondaco’s video, known as the Tree of Heaven.

In the video, Abbott points out a cluster of Spotted Lanternflies “into the thousands” on a Tree of Heaven.

• Fondaco demonstrated how she modified a bag to create the trap, by wrapping a clear, plastic bag around the ring of a canning lid; and then fastened a rubber band to the bag and lid, to connect them.
• Next, Fondaco took a fine mesh netting and attached it to the canning lid ring, which can be done with a rubber band or tape.
• Since Spotted Lanternflies reportedly like to climb, the trap is designed for the Lanterflies to make their way through the net into the bag.
• Abbott and Fondaco then nailed the bag to a tree where the Lanternflies were congregating, with a flat piece of wood nailed to the rear portion of the mesh.
• The mesh was then additionally stapled to the tree, with its top propped open with wire.
• With the trap adhered to the tree, Abbott and Fondaco expected the Lanternflies to climb through the mesh and into the bag.
• The following day, there were Lanternflies within the trap.

Watch the full video below for Abbott’s and Fondaco’s guidance on making the trap:

For more information about the trap and other topics related to the Spotted Lanternfly, Abbott and Fondaco guided viewers to https://njaes.rutgers.edu/spotted-lanternfly/, at the conclusion of their video.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at:jennifer.miller@patch.com.