Home & Garden
Invasive Lanternfly Appears In Harlem: Kill It If You See It
The invasive spotted lanternfly, which could threaten New York's agriculture and forests, has been seen in Harlem. Here's what to know.
HARLEM, NY — If you come across an eye-catching insect with reddish wings and black spots in Harlem this week, there's one thing you should do, according to local authorities.
Kill it.
That bug is the spotted lanternfly, a highly invasive species whose arrival in New York City could spell doom for the area's forests and crops. Native to Asia, it first appeared in the U.S. in 2014, before being spotted in Staten Island last summer.
Find out what's happening in Harlemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In recent weeks, sightings have jumped across the city, including in Harlem. On the iNaturalist website, New Yorkers have documented over 200 lanternfly sightings this year, including a half dozen in Harlem: the CUNY campus on Aug. 13, Riverside Park on Aug. 14, Morningside Park on Tuesday, and more.
"Harming our city’s wildlife is prohibited, but in an effort to slow the spread of this troublesome species, we are putting out a one-time call: if you see a spotted lanternfly, please squish and dispose of this invasive pest," the Parks Department said in a notice.
Find out what's happening in Harlemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
We're sounding the alert on the SPOTTED LANTERNFLY after a recent surge in Manhattan observations on @inaturalist—over 30 in just the last week. This invasive planthopper destroys plants and trees, but does not hurt humans. Kill it by swatting or squashing. pic.twitter.com/9YyIuTjMBu
— Manhattan Bird Alert (@BirdCentralPark) August 15, 2021
Besides the bugs themselves, New Yorkers should look for their inch-long, waxy, brownish-gray egg masses, which can be scraped off of trees and rocks, then frozen and disposed of.
Spotted lanternflies don't kill trees directly — they feed on the sap of more than 70 plant species, causing the plants stress that can make them more vulnerable to disease. The insects also excrete a sticky "honeydew," attracting mold that can interfere with photosynthesis.
If they keep spreading, the lanternflies could threaten New York's valuable apple and grape industries, as well as hops, maple and timber.
And we bear some complicity for the infestation: lanternflies spread mostly through human activity, laying their eggs on objects like firewood, stone and outdoor furniture that are taken from place to place.
If you see a spotted lanternfly, report it to the Parks Department — and, if you wish, email a photo to nick.garber@patch.com.
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