Please check your trailers and motorhomes for Spotted Lanternfly before leaving the track. To Learn more about Spotted Lanternfly, please visit: https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly

Berks County, Pennsylvania, and several surrounding counties, are under quarantine for Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula (White). Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive planthopper native to China, India, Vietnam. This insect has the potential to greatly impact agricultural crops such as grapes, hops, and hardwoods.  It is also reducing the quality of life for people living in heavily infested areas.

You may remember this pest from last year’s National Event. Please be advised that Spotted Lanternfly is in a different life stage during this time of year and will look different than it did during the fall, appearing in the early nymph stage as a small black bug with white spots. In this stage, SLF do not fly, but will jump if provoked.

Before leaving the track, please “look before you leave”, inspecting your vehicles and trailers, including around windshield wipers, grills, wheel wells, as well as any outdoor items before you move around or out of the quarantine zone. Be cautious when parking near tree lines and, if possible, keep windows rolled up when you park your vehicles. 

Currently, there are no chemical or biological controls to stop the spread of the insect. Experts are still learning how to combat SLF and advise that you should remove and destroy any SLF that you find by crushing them. Your diligence by thoroughly checking your trailers, motorhomes, and equipment before leaving the quarantine zone is the most effective method for stopping their spread.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.