A spotted lanternfly. Source: nbcnews.com.
The spotted lanternfly, which belongs to a type of insects known as planthoppers, was first discovered as a New York City invasive species in July 2020. Although it can infest trees, it mainly threatens a range of agricultural crops such as walnuts, grapes, hops, apples, blueberries, and stone fruits. Its preferred host is the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), which is necessary for its reproduction. The spotted lanternfly has spread wildly in New York City over the past 15 months and has enormous potential for damaging natural landscapes; accordingly, the NYC Parks Department recommends that they should be killed on sight. A spotted lanternfly infestation can be identified by looking for the following signs: small, putty-like egg masses that can crack throughout the winter, clusters of insects on tree trunks or branches, and sticky honeydew secreted by the insects which has a distinct odor and may be covered in black mold.
The NYC Parks Department has already implemented some measures to combat this infestation. Infested trees are pruned or removed depending on the severity of the infestation as they pose a risk to the public. The Parks Department is also working closely with other agencies at the federal, state, and local levels to effectively monitor and improve the ongoing situation.
Distribution of spotted laternflies as of November 17, 2021. Source: nysipm.cornell.edu.
In addition to the governmental efforts, however, the onus is on us as citizens of NYC to assist in this battle against the spotted lanternfly. Harming the city’s wildlife is normally prohibited, but the Parks Department issued a one-time recommendation to dispose of any spotted lanternflies we encounter. So, if you see any signs of a spotted lanternfly, do your city and your parks a favor and squish it.