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MSU researchers following spotted lanternfly movement

A Michigan State University entomologist says monitoring spotted lanternfly will help researchers better protect specialty crops in the region.

Rufus Isaacs tells Brownfield, “It’s more in that southeast part of Michigan, thankfully, not where most of our fruit crops are grown.”

“There’s been an extensive effort to survey both from the university, also through the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development,” he says.

The invasive pest has been detected in 18 states since it was first found a decade ago in the U.S.  Michigan recently completed its 2024 monitoring efforts across more than 100 locations in the western and southern parts of the state.

Issacs says some methods for controlling the pest can be made available if populations increase.

“Unlike some other pests, this is one where we do have a lot of tools already in our toolbox and we can do some work behind the scenes to prepare some extended labels, some special local needs types of things,” he shares.

Issac says while it could pose the greatest risk to grape growers, researchers are still learning how it overwinters and adapts to the climate.

New sightings of spotted lanternflies were reported in Lenawee and Macomb counties this past year. 

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