Spotted Lanternfly – Be on the Lookout

The Spotted Lanternfly is a non-native insect that poses a threat to nearly 70 native trees, crops and plants. New Jersey Department of Agriculture has a program called “Join the Battle, Beat the Bug! — Stomp it Out!”

Since the Spotted Lanternfly is not know to everyone yet, it is important to become familiar. The photo below can innocently be a cool bug on a sunflower. Once you learn the facts, you will instantly take the appropriate action. As photographers, many of us our out in the field giving us the opportunity to help by stomping, reporting and checking before leaving an area. Spotted Lanternfly are great hitchhikers so check your camera bags and vehicles before leaving an area.

The State of New Jersey Department of Agriculture has full microsite on the Spotted Lanternfly. This page is great for learning, identifying, reporting in areas of concern and instructions about what do do when you see one. You don’t need to report in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Salem, Somerset, or Warren counties as they are already known as a quarantine county. This is just one way as photographers we can help protect our local environment.

To report directly to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture use this form. It is not necessary to file a report in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Salem, Somerset, or Warren counties.

Not in New Jersey a quick search will show information for your state.

New York State Department of Agriculture

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture