Asian by origin, the spotted lanternfly poses a serious threat to crops and trees throughout the Midwest. | Spotted Lanternfly Facebook
Asian by origin, the spotted lanternfly poses a serious threat to crops and trees throughout the Midwest. | Spotted Lanternfly Facebook
Crops and trees throughout the Midwest face an imminent threat from the invasive spotted lanternfly.
The bug was found in Kansas but officials are yet to confirm if there are more, Iowa Public Radio reported.
Robin Pruisner, state entomologist with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, said the lanternfly is a sight to behold with its bright red hind wings with black spots. But its presence is dangerous to woody plants like trees, shrubs, raspberries and grapes.
“They tend to leave behind a sticky substance while they’re feeding,” Pruisner said, Radio Iowa reported. “And that substance is really good at growing mold. Then you can have other plant pathogens or diseases move in. It reduces the quality of the crop.”
Native to Asia, the lanternfly was first discovered stateside in Pennsylvania in 2014 and tends to be well-traveled, Iowa Public Radio reported.
At least ten states have reported lanternfly sightings, with Kansas being the furthest it’s ever traveled.
“First, there was a lot of surprise,” Pruisner said, Radio Iowa reported. “We’ve known about this since it was first found in Pennsylvania. We have definitely been on the lookout.”
Iowa agriculture officials have asked citizens to report any insects that could be the lanternfly.
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