EDIT: I wrote the stuff below before I read the state’s alert in its entirety. As it turns out, by not killing that little critter, I may have contributed to BIG problems down the road. I have submitted a report, though. Read the alert for yourself here: https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/PlantIndustry/Entomology/spotted_lanternfly/SpottedLanternflyAlert/Pages/default.aspx
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I’ve heard a lot of chatter about the spotted lanternfly, but I don’t think I saw one before today. I had to look it up, not only to determine what it was, but then to remind myself of why it’s been talked about so much. From the Pa. Dept. of Agriculture’s Spotted Lanternfly Alert:
“The spotted lanternfly causes serious damage including oozing sap, wilting, leaf curling and dieback in trees, vines, crops and many other types of plants. In addition to plant damage, when spotted lanternflies feed, they excrete a sugary substance, called honeydew, that encourages the growth of black sooty mold.”
On the one hand, yuck. On the other hand, I can’t say that it’s done any harm to my household.
#Homewood, have any of you had a spotted lanternfly problem? Tell us about it in the comments!
(I still think it’s kinda cute.)
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