Invasive Insect Poised to Come to Michigan
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is asking residents to be on the lookout for an invasive insect
The spotted lanternfly, first discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014, is a native insect to China, India and Vietnam. The bug feeds on a wide variety of plats, like fruits, hardwood trees and more. It can be devastating to agriculture and the state’s natural resources. While the insect can’t travel far on its own, it does lay eggs on just about any surface, including vehicles, camping gear, firewood, package shipments and more. Infestations have occurred in 12 states throughout the northeast and midwest.
According to the Connecticuit Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, “the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) adult is approximately one inch long and one-half inch wide with large and colorful wings. The front wings of the spotted lanternfly are light brown with black spots in the center. Their hind wings have contrasting patches of red and black with a white band in between. The legs and head are black; the abdomen is yellow with broad black bands.
“The three immature stages, called nymphs, are black with white spots. During the fourth and final nymphal stage, the developing insect adds red patches and small wing pads. Only the adult stage has wings.”
Egg masses look like old, gray putty or chewing gum.
Anyone who sees the insect or egg mass should take photos, or even collect a specimen, and contact MDARD at 800-292-3939 or email [email protected]. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/SpottedLanternfly.
