The spotted lanternflies have arrived in Montgomery County, and we’ve yet to see the worst of it.
On Monday, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) issued a news release warning residents about the incoming “population boom” of the spotted pest.
Originating in Southeast Asia, the invasive species was first documented in eastern Pennsylvania in 2014, according to the release. “The further northeast you are, the worse it’s going to be,” said MCDOT Division of Highway Services Arborist and Entomologist Ashley Dykes in the release.
Officials warn that certain areas of Montgomery County may experience population levels akin to the 2021 Cicada Brood X.
“They like to hitch rides on vehicles”
It all boils down to one thing: population control.
You may recognize the slogan “squash on sight,” and that helps, but officials say there are more effective ways you can help while you’re out and about. The most effective way to prevent population spread is to inspect your car “when driving in and out of regions with spotted lanternflies,” Dykes said. “They like to hitch rides on vehicles.”
Additionally, these bugs particularly take to Trees of Heaven, which are also invasive. Still, spotted lanternflies “can feed on many varieties of trees, so eradicating [Trees of Heaven] won’t help,” the news release stated.
Dykes also advised residents to avoid parking near Trees of Heaven, as spotted lanternflies leave behind a substance that “grows a black sooty mold and [causes] a sticky mess” when they feed.
(Photo/Montgomery County Department of Transportation)
“We know the presence of an invasive species can cause concern for our residents,” MCDOT Director Chris Conklin explained in the press release. He further encouraged “… inspecting trees and other surfaces for egg masses and disposing of them.”
It is important to note that, although a nuisance, these insects “are not considered harmful,” according to MCDOT. Still, they urge the public to join in helping stop the spread of the spotted lanternfly population.
Resources
The Tree Maintenance Section of MCDOT’s website allows people to request the inspection, pruning or removal of dead or diseased county-maintained trees. Submit a service request here.
For more information regarding these insects in Maryland, visit the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s spotted lanternfly page. You can also report sightings in Maryland through the DOA’s spotted lanternfly sighting form.
Learn more and read the full press release here.
