NEWS RELEASES
Pennsylvania Campground Overrun By Spotted Lanternflies
Editor's Note: This news item was retrieved and first published through WPMT Fox43 News' website.
SALISBURY TOWNSHIP, LANCASTER COUNTY, Penn. -- Fox 43, a news outlet in York, PA, reports on an invasive species swarming at the Lancaster / New Holland KOA. Infestations of spotted lanternflies currently have Lancaster County and more than a dozen others in the state under quarantine. State officials say that the insect is threatening 18 billion dollars worth of Pennsylvania's agricultural industry, especially apples, hops, grapes and other vines. The recently passed Pennsylvania Farm Bill devotes $3 million to combating the insect.
Chad Nissley, the owner of the campground, told Fox 43 that the infestation isn’t hurting his business. In fact some people say they find the bugs pretty. The insects can travel on all kinds of vehicles, so campers run the risk of carrying the bug home with them. The Pennsylvania Dept of Agriculture urges those camping in the quarantine area to “Look Before You Leave,” inspecting vehicles, trailers, and any outdoor items before moving out of the quarantine area. The insects prefer to lay their eggs on so-called Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) plants so Nissley plans to cut down all the ones growing on his property this fall.
More information on identifying and combating spotted lanternflies can be found on the Penn. Dept. of Agriculture website.