A quarantine is established to contain, or reduce the potential spread, of an identified pest. Recently, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) has expanded their spotted lanternfly (SLF) (Lycorma delicatula) quarantine to include 8 new counties. Those counties include: Cambria, Cameron, Franklin, Lackawanna, Montour, Pike, Wayne and Westmoreland. This brings up the total number of PA Counties under quarantine to 34. This is just over 1/2 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties.
Here in Ohio, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has written proposed rules for a SLF quarantine in the buckeye state and those rules are in the open comment period. Once that period expires, ODA will review the comments and move in the direction to implement the SLF quaratine rules. SLF was detected in Ohio last fall in Jefferson County and the quaratine will address that population.
Since we are talking about SLF, it is important to note that we are looking for all Ohioans to be on the look-out for this emerging invasive species. Last fall, adult SLF females laid eggs that will remain in that stage until later this spring when 1st instar nymphs will begin to hatch. As temperatures warm and we find ourselves outdoors, we are encourage everyone to keep their eyes peeled for the egg masses.
If you suspect you have seen SLF egg masses, please report those suspect find through the Great Lakes Early Detection Network (GLEDN) App, or contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture directly via an online reporting form, an email, or telephone call. The following information will be needed: an actual address of the location of the egg mass, name and contact information of the person reporting, and photos.
