The spotted lanternfly is creeping ever closer to Indiana County, with the state adding two of our border counties to the list of quarantine counties.
The invasive insect has now been found in 34 counties, including Westmoreland and Cambria. And in Westmoreland County, one of the locations in which the bug has been found is Derry Township, right up against the Indiana County line.
The quarantine regulations require inspection and removal of any items which may harbor the insect or egg masses, such as landscaping mulch and supplies, logs, firewood, grapevines, nursery stock, packing materials such as pots, crates, and pallets, and outdoor items such as RVs, tractors and mowers, grills, furniture, tarps, and anything not stored indoors.
Interestingly, one of the favorite habitats of the spotted lanternfly is the invasive Tree of Heaven plant, which although difficult to remove, should be eradicated as quickly as possible.
One other note on the invasive insect…Penn State Extension says nature photographers have helped identify some natural enemies that prey on the bug, capturing images of praying mantises and chickens feeding on them.
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