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Spring brings increased spotted lanternfly surveillance

The coordinator of the Illinois Agricultural Pest Survey says the invasive spotted lanternfly has made its home in the state.

“We are seeing a small population up there. We have over wintering with egg masses.”

Kelly Estes says the pest, which originates from China, can survive the Cook County winter and could be transported anywhere in the state.

“It’s readily moved by people.”  She says, “It also will lay its eggs on lots of different things, and so it’s moved by trains and trucks. Adults are also easily moved with things.”

She tells Brownfield the return of warm weather brings increased insect activity and thus increased surveillance.

“We find it a lot on tree of heaven, feeding early in the season.”  She says, “As far as host plants that we really are concerned about that translates into specialty crops, potentially some orchards, but more importantly, it’s a big pest of grapes.”

Estes encourages anyone who finds a suspected spotted lanternfly to contact their local Extension office.

Since first being discovered in Pennsylvania in 2012, spotted lanternfly has been confirmed in many eastern and northeastern states.  However, in recent years it’s been identified in the eastern Corn Belt (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, & Illinois) and mid-South (Kentucky & Tennessee).  

AUDIO: Kelly Estes – Illinois Ag Pest Survey