Maryland expands spotted lanternfly quarantine

The Maryland Department of Agriculture has expanded the state’s spotted lanternfly quarantine to include more counties and restrict the movement of material that might contain the invasive species in any life stage including egg masses, nymphs and adults.

The state’s quarantine new includes Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Washington and Wicomico, as well as Baltimore City, according to a news release.

“The spotted lanternfly continues to be a destructive invasive species that has negatively impacted agriculture operations throughout the mid-Atlantic region,” state Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks said in the release. “The department continues to take steps to expand the quarantine zone out of an abundance of caution as we remain vigilant in controlling the spread of this destructive insect.”

First found in Berks County, Pa., in 2014, the spotted lanternfly feeds on more than 70 different crops including grapes, apples and peaches. It is a known hitchhiker and will lay eggs on many surfaces.