For several years, Georgia scientists have been asking us to keep an eye out for spotted lanternflies. First sighted in Pennsylvania in 2014, these invasive planthopper insects have rapidly spread across 17 states, including Tennessee and North Carolina. On November 14th, the Georgia Department of Agriculture reported the first confirmed sighting of spotted lanternfly in our state, which was first detected in Fulton County on October 22nd .
To learn all about spotted lanternfly, check out our blog post, Keep an Eye Out for Spotted Lanternfly.
First, spotted lanternfly are not a risk to humans. They are plant-feeding insects with a wide host range, meaning they will feed on many different types of plants. They are expected to be a significant issue for farmers, nursery operators, and other plant producers and may also cause issues in residential gardens and landscapes.
You can help stop the spread of spotted lanternfly! Take the following actions immediately if you see a spotted lanternfly:
- Take a clear picture of the pest.
- Kill it.
- Report your sighting using the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s online reporting tool: https://www.gainvasives.org/slf/report/.
As always, don’t hesitate to contact your local Extension agent with questions. Find your local Extension office here. If you are a Fulton County resident, contact ANR agent Gabrielle LaTora at gabrielle.latora@uga.edu.
