LI Gets An Unwanted Visitor: The Invasive Spotted Lanternfly

RONKONKOMA, NY—It's not a plague of locusts, but the spotting of a spotted lanternfly population on Long Island recently is bad news. The invasive pest was seen in Ronkonkoma in September, near MacArthur Airport, and those in the agricultural industry, as well as homeowners with yards, should be aware, experts say.

The planthopper is native to Asia and was first seen in Berks County, Pa in 2014, Dan Gilrein tells Patch.

He is an entomologist and Associate Agriculture Program Director at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County based in Riverhead. The program published a warning about the bugs calling them "the next worst thing."

The lanternfly was first seen in New York State on Staten Island in 2020.

"It feeds on sap of many kinds of plants and when present in large numbers has been known to kill grape vines though most other plants appear to less severely affected. The insect is not dangerous to humans or animals, doesn’t bite or establish populations indoors though high numbers in landscapes and gardens can be annoying."

"They deposit honeydew as they feed that can attract other insects and leaves a sticky residue on surfaces below that turns black with growth of sooty mold. Tree-of-heaven, a weedy invasive tree, is one of their favorite hosts and very common around eastern Long Island," Gilrein details.

The biggest threat if the species becomes endemic to Suffolk County would be to vineyards. But if large numbers descend on landscape plants, residential backyards could also be affected. Their waste could cover plants and negatively affect their health, and the aesthetics of a yard.

The New York State Agriculture Departments is asking residents to report any sightings. There is an online reporting system here.

"Early detection and reporting can help stop the spread," Gilrein said.

Some insecticides work to kill the insect, and efforts are underway to find less toxic means of controlling the populations.

In Staten Island, Vice News followed a group of people who've taken matters into their own hands and become vigilantes.

Gilrein says the adult spotted lanternflies start to appear around late July. They are one inch long and jump or fly when disturbed. They lay eggs on bark, stone, wood and other objects and will likely survive Long Island's winters. They often hitch rides on human transportation, like cars, cargo areas and nursery stock, the Agriculture Department explains, worsening their spread.

New York State lists other signs you may have the unwanted visitor nearby:

• "Sap oozing or weeping from open wounds on tree trunks, which appear wet and give off fermented odors.
• One-inch-long egg masses that are brownish-gray, waxy and mud-like when new. Old egg masses are brown and scaly.
• Massive honeydew build-up under plants, sometimes with black sooty mold developing."

If you want to help do your part to prevent what could be devastating to Long Island farmers and winemakers, experts say: report them (take a picture) if you see them, and then squish them.