New Lanternfly Quarantine in Pennsylvania's 4 Counties

By Blake Jackson

Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding has expanded the state's spotted lanternfly quarantine to include Bradford, Sullivan, Venango, and Wyoming Counties.

This action aims to curb the spread of the invasive pest, urging residents to destroy lanternfly eggs before they hatch in spring.

"As you clean up your yard or just enjoy beautiful Pennsylvania spring days, you can help keep lanternflies from becoming a summer nuisance and harming our valuable grape and nursery industries," Secretary Redding stated. "Every spotted lanternfly egg mass you scrape and squash is 30-50 damage-causing insects that won’t hatch in May.”

First discovered in Berks County in 2014, the spotted lanternfly poses a significant threat to crops. Despite ongoing efforts, the insect's ability to spread via vehicles necessitates continued vigilance.

The 2024 quarantine expansion to 52 counties followed extensive surveys by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, particularly focusing on Erie County’s vital wine and grape industry.

"The Shapiro Administration is committed to protecting and preserving the tremendous value agriculture brings to our economy and our daily lives," Redding emphasized.

The state is investing in pest control research, monitoring, and strategic partnerships to manage the lanternfly.

Governor Josh Shapiro's 2025-26 budget includes funding to combat invasive pests, allocating $3 million from the Rapid Response and Disaster Readiness Fund for agricultural emergencies.

The budget also maintains $145,000 for a second lanternfly detection dog, Ruby, joining Lucky, to locate eggs in hard-to-reach areas.

An additional $13 million is proposed for the Ag Innovation Program, supporting advancements in agricultural practices amid invasive species threats.

Further funding is allocated for agricultural research and development, including $2.187 million for Agriculture Research and $60.596 million for Penn State Agricultural Extension & Research.

Programs like PA Farm Bill Specialty Crop Block Grants and Commodity Marketing & Research boards also support producers affected by lanternflies.

The quarantine restricts the movement of lanternflies and infested items, requiring businesses and travelers to obtain permits. Over 33,300 businesses have complied, demonstrating their knowledge of lanternfly identification and prevention.

Adult lanternflies die in winter, leaving behind egg masses on various outdoor surfaces. These masses, containing 30-50 eggs, can survive sub-zero temperatures and are easily destroyed by scraping and smashing.

Photo Credit: pennsylvania-department-of-agriculture