Spotted lanternfly is a new bug that’s come to town

The spotted lanternfly has landed in greater Riverdale leaving behind a path of destruction to residents’ trees and greenery, according to some readers of The Riverdale Press.

One resident who called told the editor she had to call an exterminator to rid her porch of the insects. When she called authorities, she was told the New York state integrated pest management program had already counting the number sightings and has created a map, which you can find at tinyurl.com/CornellLantern.

At last check, the pest management program has detected large populations in the Bronx, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The spotted lanternfly was first discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014, according to the pest management website.

The greatest agricultural concern regards grapes, hops, apples, blueberries and stone fruits. Some of the industries most worried about the bug’s infestation are vineyards, orchards and forestry.

The lanternfly is known for its spots and the very colorful wings it displays when hopping, because you see the bugs don’t fly.

They have red hind wings with black spots, a black head and a yellow abdomen, the pest management group reports.

Just like its sister cicadas, the bug is also known for laying many eggs that will hatch by the spring. Each egg mass contains 30-50 eggs that are covered in a waxy brown substance on the side of trees.

For those of you lucky enough to have found these insects, the pest management group asks that you take pictures of them and their egg masses. It also asks you to include a coin or ruler in the photograph to show scale.

The pest management group also asks the following:

• If possible, collect the insect. Place it in a bag and freeze, or in a jar with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.

• Note the location (street address and ZIP code, intersecting roads, landmarks or GPS coordinates)

• Email pictures and location to spottedlanternfly@dec.ny.gov.