The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has added Greene County to the 52 counties under a spotted lanternfly quarantine in the state.
Spotted lanternfly feeds on more than 70 different crops, such as grapes, apples and peaches. It is a known hitchhiker. Females lay eggs covered in a putty-colored protective on any outdoor surface from trees, rocks, equipment, lawn furniture and more, which makes detection and eradication difficult.
The quarantine prohibits the movement of firewood, brush and other debris that could have spotted lanternflies or eggs on them. Those who operate businesses or travel in and out of quarantine need to have a permit.
Continued funding
The Department of Agriculture also noted a new $10 million agriculture and conservation fund to support investments to protect Pennsylvania growers from threats from invasive species.
The department also said agriculture research funds would get a $2.89 million increase for Penn State Extension to continue lanternfly research.
The department also said Gov. Josh Shapiro would allocate $3 million of a $34 million rapid response and disaster fund toward agriculture emergencies in the 2024-25 budget.
In 2020, the state introduced Lucky, the first spotted lanternfly egg mass detection dog. The state awarded $145,000 to expand the program to support an additional dog, Ruby, who will work in the western part of the state. Ruby and her handler are undergoing training at PennVet’s Center for Working Dogs.
