Parts Of RI Getting Treated For Spotted Lanternfly Infestations

RHODE ISLAND — The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will treat several parts of the state with insecticide to deal with spotted lanternfly infestations.

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive plant hopper insect that was introduced into the United States in 2014. Native to China, the insect can cause significant damage to trees, grape, apple, stone fruits, walnut plants and other farm crops.

Weather permitting, the insecticide treatment is scheduled for Thursday in Lincoln, North Providence and Smithfield.

Applicators using backpack sprayers with wands will "contact spray" Bifenthrin, a United States Environmental Protection Agency-approved pesticide, directly on trees and bushes with substantial numbers of adult lanternflies.

"Rhode Island must continue to move aggressively in the areas where the spotted lanternfly has been found to control the occurrence before its spreads widely and causes considerable economic harm, as it has done in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and other states," said DEM Director Terry Gray. "Serious SLF infestations around the state could jeopardize thousands of acres of orchards, berry crops, vineyards, and nursery stock that are the source of people's livelihoods and contribute to our food supply. We are continuing to use a federally registered pesticide that the EPA has deemed safe when used in accordance with label directions."

Spotted lanternflies are easily identifiable by their bright red underwings, yellow markings on the abdomen, tan semi-transparent forewings and distinctive spotted patterning. Adults are usually about an inch long, and are active from August through the first hard freeze of the year, usually in late October or early November, the DEM said.

If you think you see a spotted lanternfly, DEM officials recommend doing the following:

• Take a photo
• Kill the insect
• Collect a specimen
• Report it here.