Parks & Recreation Department joins fight against Spotted Lanternfly
Berks County Parks and Recreation department is joining the fight against the invasive Spotted Lanternfly. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s website, “The Spotted Lanternfly is known to utilize more than 25 species in Pennsylvania including cultivated grapes, fruit trees and hardwood species. In the U.S., the Spotted Lanternfly has the potential to greatly impact the viticulture (grape), tree fruit, plant nursery and timber industries. This pest poses a significant threat to the state’s more than $20.5 million grape, nearly $134 million apple and more than $24 million stone fruit industries, as well as the hardwood industry in Pennsylvania, which accounts for $12 billion in sales.”
In an effort to identify Spotted Lanternf ly habitats, the Parks Department has joined forces with the PA Department of Agriculture and its entomologists, Brooke Leister and Michael Valentine, to place collection traps in several of its parks. The traps will be in use from May through November. The entomologists will be checking them frequently to monitor for the insect.
“Berks County, along with our Berks County Department of Agriculture, Penn State Extension and the PA and US Departments of Agriculture have been on the frontlines of this battle since the Spotted Lanternfly was first discovered here in Berks County in the fall of 2014,” said Commissioner Christian Leinbach, who is an ardent supporter of the fight against the insect. “It has now reached into four adjoining PA counties. To date this is the only place they are known to exist in the entire western hemisphere. Many experts believed that by now it would be a multi-state infestation. So far it is not and due in large part to public vigilance. That is why the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department is joining the fight and asking more of the public to help.”
The PA Department of Agriculture is looking for the public’s help. They will place traps – free of charge - on citizen’s property and monitor them as well.
If you are interested in helping to fight this invasive species, please call Michael Valentine at 717562-1278 or visit www.agriculture.pa.gov/Protect/ Plantindustry/spotted_lanternfly.
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The Spotted Lanternfly traps will be in use from May to November.
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Collection traps are being placed in several area parks to monitor for the insects.