Spotted Lanternfly
Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive insect that has spread throughout Pennsylvania since its discovery in Berks County in 2014. SLF feeds on the plant sap of many different plants including grapevines, maples, black walnut, and other important plants in PA. If you see SLF, help us stop it in its tracks! To report a sighting, use our reporting tool below or call our hotline at 1-888-422-3359.
Why You Should Care
SLF is a serious invasive pest with a healthy appetite for our plants and it can be a significant nuisance, affecting the quality of life and enjoyment of the outdoors. If not contained, spotted lanternfly potentially could drain Pennsylvania’s economy of at least $324 million annually, according to a study carried out by economists at Penn State. The spotted lanternfly uses its piercing-sucking mouthpart to feed on sap from over 70 different plant species. It has a strong preference for economically important plants including grapevines, maple trees, black walnut, birch, willow, and other trees. The feeding damage significantly stresses the plants which can lead to decreased health and potentially death.
As SLF feeds, the insect excretes honeydew (a sugary substance) which can attract bees, wasps, and other insects. The honeydew also builds up and promotes the growth for sooty mold (fungi), which can cover the plant, forest understories, patio furniture, cars, and anything else found below SLF feeding.
Where is SLF Found?
SLF is currently found in 51 counties in Pennsylvania, all of which are under a state-imposed quarantine. The quarantine is in place to stop the movement of SLF to new areas within or out of the current quarantine zone and to slow its spread within the quarantine. The quarantine affects vehicles and other conveyances, plant, wood, stone products and outdoor household items. Counties within the quarantine zone include: Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Greene, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mifflin, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Pike, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Union, York, Washington, Wayne, and Westmoreland.
In addition to Pennsylvania, SLF is also found in New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Connecticut, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and West Virginia. Do your part to slow the spread by complying with the SLF quarantine relations.
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Quarantine Compliance and Permits
Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Regulations
Does Your Business Need a Spotted Lanternfly Permit?
Find out if your business or organization is required to have a spotted lanternfly permit in Pennsylvania.
Online Permit Training: Pennsylvania
Penn State Extension worked with PDA in developing a self-paced, “train the trainer” online course to train designated employees - usually an owner, manager, or supervisor - within a company on how to comply with the quarantine regulations. Once a designated employee passes the course, they will receive from PDA the requested number SLF permits for company vehicles. For more information regarding whether your company needs a permit, please visit the PDA website.
Online Permit Training: Additional States
Penn State Extension has also partnered with surrounding states in the mid-atlantic region to offer an online permit training course for their state. The courses follow the same "train the trainer" format as Pennsylvania, but the content is tailored to the particular state's SLF regulations. Upon successful course completion, permits are then issued by the state's Department of Agriculture. Choose to take the permit training for the state in which your business is headquartered, or, if located outside the available states, choose the state in which you operate most business. A permit is required from only one of the available states, and reciprocity between states is honored.
In-person Permit Training
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture along with Penn State Extension are hosting training and testing sessions for business owners, managers, or supervisors who do not have access to the online spotted lanternfly permit course. During this course, you will learn what the spotted lanternfly is, the spotted lanternfly lifecycle, how to safeguard commodities, and how to properly discard of the spotted lanternfly nymphs, adults, and egg masses. Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a spotted lanternfly permit.
Permit Training Materials (PowerPoint Slides)
If you have already taken and passed the permit course and need to train the rest of your business on how to comply with permit requirements, these PowerPoint presentations (available in English and Spanish) can help you.
Quarantine Compliance for Residents
As a resident not traveling on business, you can do your part to help stop this invader! Before you travel or move any items stored outdoors within or out of the quarantine area, check for and remove all stages of spotted lanternfly.
Partner Organizations
Image Credit: Nick Sloff, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences.