Did you know that Georgia is the sixth most biologically diverse state in the U.S and is home to 83 invasive plants, 111 invasive animals, and 30 invasive disease-causing organisms? Invasive species are defined as those which are (1) non-native to a region, and (2) whose introduction causes ecological, environmental, and economic damage (USDA). It is important to note that “non-native species” and “invasive species” are not the same thing. Non-native species references a much broader scope of animals and plants and includes most fruits, vegetables, and livestock species. The distinction between the two is that invasive species causes or is likely to cause harm to the region they are introduced to.
Invasive species are introduced to a region through two pathways – natural or man-made. Natural ways invasive species spread include wind, water currents, and the actual movement of a species on its own. Man-made methods of spread are far more common, and can be intentional or unintentional. Intentional spread occurs when humans deliberately move a species from its natural range, such as in the case of specific ornamental plants or pets. Unintentional spread is accidental, such as the movement of recreational watercraft, ballast water, outdoor or fishing gear, passenger baggage from travelers, shipping and freight, and many others.
Once in a region, invasive species cause widespread impacts on the native ecosystem, environment, and human lives. These species often compete with natives for valuable resources such as food, water, and space, upsetting the natural ecological balance of their habitats. Some species have significant impacts on agriculture and forestry, resulting in increased disease and millions of dollars in economic impacts. Others present concerns for human health through transmission of diseases. In 2021, it was estimated that invasive species cost the U.S. economy more than $26 billion dollars annually, and had cost over $1.288 trillion since 1971.
On Thursday, November 14, 2024, the Georgia Department of Agriculture confirmed the first detection of the invasive Spotted Lanternfly in Georgia. This species is native to Asia and was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014, but is now present in 18 states. Nymphs are black with white spots and turn red as they age. Adults are 1 inch long, ½ inch wide, with yellow and black abdomens. Their wings are distinctive, with brown front wings with black spots at the front and a speckled band at the rear. The hind wings are bright red with black spots at the front and white and black bars at the rear. The eggs of this pest are typically 1-inch long masses, a dull brown color, laid on smooth surfaces like trees, bricks, and other materials. Spotted lanternflies tend to gather in large numbers and are easiest to spot at dusk or at night. When they feed, these insects leave behind a sticky residue called honeydew, which contributes to sooty mold, a fungal disease of the plant. Heading into winter, these insects will be laying eggs, and the adults will die out at our first frost. It is important that we destroy the eggs and adults as much as possible – while we won’t eradicate this species from Georgia, we can help track and control it’s spread.
If you encounter a Spotted Lanternfly, please take a clear photo of it, kill it, and report the sighting to the Georgia Invasive Species Task Force at https://www.gainvasives.org/slf/report/. If you have further questions about this pest, please let us know at uge3181@uga.edu or 706-359-3233.
