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Welcome to the inaugural Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) permit holder informational update. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will use this format to send SLF permit holders periodic reminders, management practices, quarantine updates and other relevant information.

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PA Quarantine Expansion

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture expanded the Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine from 14 to 26 counties in March 2020. The new dozen counties are not completely infested, but rather have a few municipalities with a known infestation which led to a quarantine being placed on the entire county. The quarantined now encompasses Allegheny, Beaver, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and York counties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can always find the latest Pennsylvania SLF Quarantine information at agriculture.pa.gov/spottedlanternfly.

 

Current Lifecycle

SLF nymphs hatch in late April through early May. Early nymphs are black with white spots and are about the size of a tick, making them hard to find. In this phase of their life, SLF will be found feeding on new shoots of trees, vines and other plants sprouting near tree lines. In July, nymphs will transition to the late stage, when they are red and black with white spots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early stage nymphs.

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Late stage nymphs.

 

Take time to search for and destroy nymphs. Focus inspections on equipment, vehicles, and shipping materials stored outside. Chemical sprays that kill on contact are an effective means of control and, with careful aim, can target SLF without harming our native insects. Newly developed circle traps and the traditional sticky bands are also useful in catching the diminutive pest as they climb up and down trees during the day.

 

When you see and destroy SLF, report them online at extension.psu.edu/have-you-seen-a-spotted-lanternfly or by calling 1-888-4BAD-FLY (1-888-422-3359).

 

New for 2020, you can report extra information including how many and what life stages you saw. This information helps our control programs and research partners better understand the size and spread of populations. We’re asking all Pennsylvania citizens and businesses, whether inside or outside the quarantine, to report sightings at least once a year for every property where SLF are found.

 

Vehicle Inspections

SLF inspections are required April through December. Permittees should begin inspecting and documenting when their business operations resume according to their area’s COVID-19 re-opening guidance. Provide employees with SLF life stage description reminders and inspection expectations. Review the SLF Program FAQs Recordkeeping and Inspections section for more information.

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Manage the Risk

Integrate seasonal business best management practices (BMPs) into your operations to reduce the risk of spreading SLF. Full industry BMPs are located on the PDA SLF Quarantine tab at agriculture.pa.gov/spottedlanternfly.

  • Monitor for SLF on job sites.

  • Have awareness in and around trellis posts, fence posts, woods borders, etc.

  • Inspect equipment prior to movement from the area.

  • Check loading docks.

  • Inspect pallets and bins used for shipping or carrying products.  Remove/destroy any SLF found.

  • If possible, store crates/bins and other packing materials inside.

  • Keep loaded pallets that will be shipped or sent to markets safeguarded, ideally indoors, before loading.

  • Keep doors to packaging and storage areas closed during season that live insects may be moving. 

  • If practical, use closed or covered trucks when moving product in or out of the quarantine zone. 

 

Need more information? Have questions?

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