Reston Nature Center 'Worried' About Invasive Insect

RESTON, VA — Walker Nature Center in Reston is "worried" about the invasion of a destructive insect that has authorities asking people to kill every one they see.

The nature center tweeted recently that they were "worried about the invasive Spotted Lanternfly coming to Reston."

"If you find one here, please put it in a ziplock bag and bring it to the Nature Center," they added.

We are worried about the invasive Spotted Lanternfly coming to Reston. If you find one here, please put it in a ziplock bag and bring it to the Nature Center. https://t.co/D4TvkpcEqV
— Walker Nature Center (@restonnature) October 18, 2019

Officials urge people to destroy the insect when they see it. It is characterized by brown outer wings with dark spots and red-black inner wings.

The planthopper is indigenous to China and Southeast Asia, and it jumps more than it flies despite its wings. Its population is kept in check by predators and disease in its native countries, but it was accidentally introduced in the United States a few years ago.

It has become an invasive species plaguing eastern Pennsylvania and southwestern New Jersey, and it has been making its way toward our area.

The insect threatens the grapes, fruit trees, and logging. It lays eggs on bark and other vertical surfaces.

Authorities have attempted to destroy them by scraping eggs off surfaces when they find them, treating trees with pesticides, and removing trees known to host the lanternfly.