Spotted Lanternfly Found In Sussex County

The Spotted Lanternfly Is An Invasive Species in Delaware Threatening Agriculture

Today Tom Wright was sitting at his picnic table in Lincoln, Delaware, and a spotted lantern fly landed next to him. He squashed it and posted a picture. “Is this that invasive lantern bug”. I gave him the link for spotted lanternfly sightings in Delaware. This was just below Milford, DE in Sussex county. Please report any sightings and kill them immediately. Squish that bug!

Many will joke on social media, “Oh it was only one, what is the big deal”. A waterfall starts with one drop, that is the big deal. Once it starts, it is nearly impossible to stop. Not two years ago the State of Delaware and USDA were concerned with the Spotted Lanternfly making it to Delaware. Then within a year, half of New Castle county became a quarantine zone.

At that time there were only a few spotted lanternflies reported. Now most of New Castle County is under quarantine above the C&D canal. The quarantine has many rules, especially for people who travel or drive for a living. Travelers out of the quarantine zones are required to check their vehicles and anything from outside they bring out of the quarantine zone. Those rules or guidelines are listed below.

If this sounds like something out of a B grade horror movie, just ask anyone in areas infested with these bugs. It is a reality many wish they could get away from, especially farmers. The number one industry in Sussex county is agriculture. Do you like like wine and craft beer? DO you like to eat fruit? The spotted lanternfly will destroy many fruit crops, and all kinds of plant life. People in areas that are infested are telling stories of hundreds and in comes cases thousands of lanternflies coating trees, roof tops, just about everywhere.

The USDA lab, the Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit in Newark, Del, near the University of Delaware campus Is studying a tiny wasp. It only attacks spotted lanternflies, in China. It will take about three years before that wasp can be deemed safe to release in our environment here, I saw that movie. The question is will this work or become another invasive species, hence the long term study. In the mean time we will be seeing more of these the quarantine can only do so much. If you see one kill it and report it to the Delaware Department of Agriculture. If you find egg masses, scrape them off and drop them into an alcohol solution. The spotted lanternfly egg masses look like patches of mud and can be found on just about anything outdoors, especially trees.

Delaware Department of Agriculture … Compliance with the Spotted Lantern Fly Quarantine

The spotted lanternfly lays egg masses of 30-50 eggs wherever it chooses, especially on flat surfaces. All other lifestages of this insect, from nymphs to adults, can fly, hop, or drop into a vehicle – meaning that this pest can easily be transported to new areas where it can develop an infestation. Primary tools to demonstrate the individuals, organizations, and businesses comply with the quarantine are described in the emergency rule for spotted lanternfly. Intentional movement of spotted lanternfly is expressly prohibited and could result in civil penalties.

What Does the Delaware Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Mean

• For Residents: Compliance can be demonstrated through the use of the Compliance Checklist. Completing this checklist indicates that you inspected and know that no living life stage of spotted lanternfly is present on regulated articles you want to move.
  • The egg masses will not start hatching until April. Now is a great opportunity to look for egg masses and destroy them by scraping them off into a container or zipped bag with alcohol or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • For more information about spotted lanternfly, download our Delaware Residential Spotted Lanternfly Factsheet.
• For Businesses, Municipalities, and Government Agencies: Any person conducting business requiring the movement of any regulated item within or from the quarantine area must have a permit.
  • To obtain a permit, a designated individual from an organization must receive training and pass an online test to demonstrate a working knowledge and understanding of the pest and quarantine requirements. Training of other employees, inspection of vehicles and products, and removal of living stages of spotted lanternfly must be completed. The permit demonstrates that you understand how to identify the pest and can ensure the items transported are not carrying the insect.
  • The permit will be issued by the Delaware Department of Agriculture upon successful completion of the spotted lanternfly training and exam.