Spotted Lanternfly Now a Threat to New Jersey Fruit Crops
July 18, 2018 New Jersey state officials have announced the first official sighting of spotted lanternfly (SLF) in the state. SLF was found in the Warren County area on its favorite host, Tree of Heaven. The trees have been treated. Scouting for SLF in the immediate Warren County area of New Jersey as well as along the Delaware River border has begun, according to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.
Virginia Update
In a recent post, Doug Pfeiffer, Virginia Tech fruit entomologist, details the emergence of SLF in his state on the Virginia Cooperative Extension Northern Shenandoah Valley Agriculture and Natural Resources Facebook page.
“First adults were seen yesterday (July 12). Observers were on-site on July 6 and July 11when only nymphs were seen, so the July 12 date seems reliable,” Pfeiffer writes. “The original prediction of adult emergence was July 31 – clearly, SLF development is faster relative to South Korea. This is probably related to climatic differences. The Korean paper used simple calendar days, when degree-days would have provided a more realistic result.”
Pfeiffer urges growers to scout for SLF egg masses on tree species, stones, train cars, and parked truck trailers.
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