Spotted lanternfly numbers on the rise in Allegheny County

They’re here and there are lots of them.

Reports of spotted lanternflies in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County are on the rise.

According to the PA Department of Agriculture, as of July 11, there had been 2,944 reports of lanternflies from Allegheny County compared to 102 on the same date last year.

In Westmoreland County, there were 48 reports in 2021 and there have been 18 in 2022 through July 11. Statewide, there have been 9,885 reports versus 4,827 at this time last year.

Allegheny and Westmoreland counties are designated lanternfly quarantine areas, where residents are asked to find and get rid of the invasive pests.

Sandy Feather, an educator with Penn State Extension based in Pittsburgh, said she expected to see a dramatic increase in reports of spotted lanternflies here this year.

“We were sure that once the (lanternfly) population was established here, it would explode – and it has,” said Feather. “As these insects breed and lay more egg masses, the population increases. And they don’t have a lot of natural enemies here.”

The insect does not harm people but is a danger to trees and other flora. They cause damage by sucking sap and the waste product of their diet can cause fungal disease. Grape vineyards in Pennsylvania have been targeted by spotted lanternflies, leading to extensive damage. Some vineyards in the eastern part of the state suffered 100% crop loss, according to PA Department of Agriculture press secretary Shannon Powers.

There have also been numerous reports of lanternflies in Downtown Pittsburgh and on the North Shore, where tailgaters at Pirates games reported seeing them.

“The fact that there is a stadium there, that people travel to and from in large numbers means there’s a risk of people bringing spotted lantern flies there,” said Powers. “So, if they were brought there the previous season and laid their eggs, then there are more spotted lanternflies this season and that’s based on how they travel.”

Powers emphasized that reports are not necessarily an indication of increases in population, but an indication of public awareness and willingness to report them.

“It is important to report them, especially in areas where they were not previously seen, as scientists use the data to predict their spread,” she said. “Reports of highly trafficked public venues like the stadium help us control their spread to high-risk areas.”

Feather said Penn State Extension is encouraging people to capture spotted lanternflies with circle traps.

“You can buy them or you can make your own,” she said. “It uses a container that the insects fall down into. It’s a modified funnel that you can purchase or build yourself. You can use a plastic bag or a jar. The insects are attracted to it and they get in there and they can’t get out.”

Lanternflies travel by clinging to cars or clothing, Powers said.

“They’ll cling to something in the car, if you have your windows down and you’re parked under an infested tree, or if you’ve been hiking, they could be in your backpack. They could be on your clothing,” said Powers. “It only takes one adult spotted lanternfly to lay eggs and produce a large population the next season.”

The Agriculture Department is encouraging anyone who sees a spotted lanternfly to kill it. It says killing one spotted lanternfly prevents the spread of between 30 and 50 eggs the following year.

“Everyone can play a part in controlling the spread,” said Powers.

Julie Urban, an associate professor of entomology at Penn State, said residents of the area will see a lot more lanternflies in September.

“They’re starting to emerge as adults about now and then when they start to mate more heavily you’re going to see a lot more in the first couple weeks of September,” said Urban. “That’s just when they’re more active. So, be ready for that.”

For more information about spotted lanternflies, visit agriculture.pa.gov/spottedlanternfly.