The NY Department of Environmental  Conservation and most of the agricultural world was already abuzz about a new invasive species the Spotted Lanternfly. Now comes the story about a New Jersey woman who's Christmas Tree hatched a batch of eggs inside her home.

The big concern is the insect's destructive appetite feeding on a wide variety of trees from fruit to oak and pine. The eggs are difficult to detect as was the case in the New Jersey woman's pre-cut Christmas Tree. She only discovered it after several of the insects began flying around her home.

The Lanternfly is an Asian pest that was found for the 1st time in New York late last year. It's been a huge problem in Pennsylvania after being found in 2014, the first appearance in the U.S. After making an appearance in 3 New Jersey Counties, New York has put a quarantine in place.

The Spotted Lanternfly can only travel short distances on its own, forcing it to find ways of hitchhiking on vehicles or in shipments. The quarantine will require certificates of inspection on several items coming from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Virginia.

  • Brush, debris, bark, or yard waste.
    Landscaping, remodeling, or construction waste.
    Logs, stumps, or any tree parts.
    Firewood of any species.
    Packing materials, such as wood crates or boxes.
    All plants and plant parts, including but not limited to nursery stock, green lumber, fruit and produce and other material living, dead, cut, fallen (including stumps), roots, branches, mulch, and composted and uncomposted chips.
    Outdoor household articles, including, but not limited to, recreational vehicles, lawn tractors and mowers, mower decks, grills, grill and furniture covers, tarps, mobile homes, tile, stone, deck boards, mobile fire pits, and any equipment associated with these items, and trucks or vehicles not stored indoors.

The DEC is also asking individuals to report any findings and share photos of Spotted Lanternfly via email: spottedlanternfly@dec.ny.gov. The pictures below show the various stages and life forms of the pest. You can read more about the pest in the DEC's Fact Sheet and more about the quarantine on the NY Agriculture and Market's website.

Lanterfly

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