October 1, 2021

Connecticut On Watch for Invasive Spotted Lanternfly

Toni Leland

Connecticut has been invaded by an exotic insect that presents a serious threat to our orchards, forests, vineyards, and nurseries. The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is currently only identified in Fairfield County, but due to the danger posed by this insect, all of Connecticut is now quarantined by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES). Additionally, several towns in Fairfield County are now regulated.

This means that no materials from a regulated area may be moved to anywhere else in the state.

Authorities are asking anyone seeing this insect in any life stage report it at once to CAES. It is estimated that it could spread across the entire state within two years.

Spotted lanternfly has no natural predators and feeds on about 60 genera of trees and plants, with the possibility that approximately 47% of Connecticut's forest trees are potential targets for this pest, as well as fruit trees and grape vines.

For complete information on spotted lanternfly, visit https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Forestry/Forest-Protection/Spotted-Lanternfly


No comments:

Post a Comment