The California Association of Winegrape Growers says spotted lanternfly egg masses were discovered on a shipment from New York at the Truckee Border Protection Station in late March shipment destined for Sonoma County.
CWAG reports the egg masses were discovered on a 30-foot-tall metal art installation on March 27. The station’s staff found 11 viable egg masses on the artwork and rejected the shipment. The California Department of Food and Agriculture confirmed the egg masses were spotted lanternfly, the association said.
The art installation returned to Nevada where officials found an additional 30 egg masses in areas not accessible to station staff, according to the association. CWAG said the shipment returned to the Truckee station for re-inspection and delivery under a Warning Hold Notice for further inspection by county staff.
CWAG said Sonoma County staff inspected the shipment April 4, and the county found an additional three egg masses on hollow beams. CWAG said the county concluded inspecting the sculpture after indicating no more egg masses remained.
The association said this is the first discovery of spotted lanternfly egg masses in the state, however, the association said other spotted lanternfly egg masses may already be in the state with adults emerging in the next few weeks, according to a news release.
“This is essentially a public service announcement to raise awareness of how to identify a spotted lanternfly and the immediate action to take if discovered,” said Natalie Collins, president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers. “Spotted lanternflies have been found in 18 states and have proven to pose a serious threat to vineyards. These invasive insects feed on the sap of grapevines, while also leaving behind a sticky honeydew residue on the clusters and leaves. Their activities stress the plants, decrease vine health and in some cases, can lead to plant death.”
Adult spotted lanternflies are typically visible from July through November and can fly, although not very far, according to the association. The 1-inch-long adults with wings folded are a dull tan-gray color with black spots. During flight, the adult’s open wings reveal a bright red, black and white pattern.
The spotted lanternfly is an invasive plant-hopper native to Asia, first discovered in southeastern Pennsylvania in 2014 and quickly spread to neighboring states. The insects are described as “hitchhikers” as the egg masses can look like cakes of mud and are transported on trailers, RVs, semi-trucks, containers, trains and other forms of shipping and transportation. Egg masses hatch in May or June and the adult spotted lanternflies are visible soon thereafter.
