Health & Fitness

Jersey City Wants You To Stomp Out Spotted Lantern Flies

The insect has negative effects on small crops.

JERSEY CITY, NJ — The Spotted Lanternfly is back, and Jersey City is taking a cue from the NJ Department of Agriculture and asking residents to stomp the creatures they see.

The city is promoting a "Stomp It Out" campaign and asking residents to stomp out the bugs, report the sighting online or call 833-4BADBUG (833-422-3284). The bug has a negative effect on small crops in the state, hence the campaign against them.

While Jersey City is joining the call to stomp out the insects, Hudson County is not one of the 13 counties in the state in the spotted lanternfly quarantine zone. While the spotted lanternfly is of no threat to humans or pets, it does feed on approximately 70 different kinds of vegetation.

Find out what's happening in Jersey Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The Department of Agriculture also directed residents to the checklist so they can view photos to help them identify the black, gray, and red creature at all life stages. The spotted lanternfly is currently in its adult stage and will begin laying its egg masses in September, the department said.

Find out what's happening in Jersey Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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