There has been a considerable amount of field and laboratory research and practice on how to control and eliminate the spotted lanternfly, an invasive species of insect that is a grave threat to Pennsylvania’s and the region’s fruit industry.

At the February 3, 2022 meeting of PSPA summarized some of that work.  The panel was led by Fred Strathmeyer, PA Department of Agriculture, and included…

• Dana Rhodes, Plant Protection Division Chief, PDA… danrhodes@pa.gov
• Dr. Julie Urban, Research Associate Professor, Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University…jmu2@psu.edu
• Melanie Pickel, Program Supervisor in the Central and Western regions of PA, USDA APHIS…Melanie.Pickel@usda.gov
• Dr. Nancy Artus, Plant Health Safeguarding Specialist, USDA APHIS nancy.n.artus@usda.gov.

The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) – a damaging, hitchhiking plant hopper – invaded the USA via Berks County, PA in 2014.  What’s happened since?  According to the expert panel, SLF spread has slowed due to containment and control measures but the battle continues.  Strategies were developed by @Pa Dept of Agriculture, @agsciences entomologists, and usda collaboration and involve  surrounding states, the PA State Police and even a dog named Lucky trained to detect SLF egg masses.

How bad is the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) and how can we stop it? @agsciences entomologists observed that heavy feeding by SLF can kill grapevines and invasive Tree of Heaven; it stresses other plants.  There’s no single way to control it.  Agencies are focused on preventing SLF spread by inspecting and treating transportation hubs, use of systemic and contact insecticides in target areas and  removal of egg masses.

Meet Lucky – the first dog trained to detect egg masses of Spotted Lanternfly (SLF). A young German Shepherd trained Penn Vet Working Dog Center, she graduated from University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and joined the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in November 2021. She’s helping to stop the spread of SLF by inspecting shipments at plant nurseries, greenhouses and timber yards for SLF egg masses. What an accomplishment!  About PSPA at www.pspaonline.com

Click here to see and download the recording of the event.