Invasive spotted lanternflies are especially attracted to another invasive species, the tree of heaven. This has prompted the officials to take down a grove of the invasive tree in a lake area in New York, in the hopes that the invasive insects won't expand their territory to the area.

Invasive Species in New York

A resident of Lake George contacted the authorities when he found a tree of heaven grove on his property. Although the invasive lanternfly would also infect grapevines, fruit trees, and hops, it has a particular liking towards the tree of heaven growth, which is also another invasive species.

Warren County Soil & Water Conservation District's Jim Lieberum said that the area is isolated and it is unusual for a spotted lanternfly to be seen in the area. Still, he hopes that taking down the invasive trees has mitigated the possible introduction of the invasive insect in the area.

Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) handles the reported specimen,

The Department of Environmental Conservation provided traps for the lanternflies. The said traps were laid out by an APIPP representative.

While scientific evidence is still scarce for the dependency of the invasive spotted lanternfly on a tree of heaven for survival, there were still no reported current sightings of the invasive insect in New York to date. Meanwhile, some areas in Delaware and Ohio are quarantined as spotted lanternfly infestations have been reported. Other sightings without quarantine orders include another area in Ohio, Indiana, and Washington DC.

Effects on Crop Production

The effects would be devastating if the invasive insects would reach the Adirondack. APIPP Terrestrial Invasive Species Project Coordinator Rebecca Bernack says it is even more worrisome if the insects get into Champlain Valley as the said area is filled with orchards; the insects have the capacity to swarm and kill a large volume of vegetation.

The fear of this worst case scenario stems from a similar situation in Pennsylvania where invasive spotted lanternflies swarmed over vineyards and laid large swaths of crops to waste. In another infestation incident, New York officials fought off infestations late last year in the lower regions of Hudson Valley.

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Officials are calling on the public to file a report if they believe that there are tree of heaven specimens on their property.

There are several tree of heaven sprouts anywhere around the Adirondacks. Sightings of the said invasive tree can also be reported to APIPP. Since the tree of heaven was brought to the US as an ornamental plant, it follows that some owners won't be willing to have their tree of heaven cut down and taken from their property. However, officers say that fighting off invasive bugs would still be possible without having to take down the tree. Experts say using trapping strategies could aid in eradicating the invasive insect.

Bernacki says there haven't been any reported sightings of the spotted lanternfly. She added that it would be huge news to find even one spotted lanternfly in the area. Bernacki also suggested storing the bug into the freezer. After which, APIPP should be contacted.