Originally published in the Reading Eagle
Written by Bill Rettew

DOWNINGTOWN — Public officials met Monday, at Harmony Hill Nursery, where the owner and president of the 75-acre nursery Christopher Uhland said the invasive spotted lanternfly is “biting further into our profits.”

Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan was not joking around.

“It’s the cutest little insect but such a pest — so destructive,” she said. “We need to stop these bugs in their cute little tracks.”

Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs at USDA Jennifer Moffitt told about 40 stakeholders and officials that the “aggressive” spotted lanternfly has spread into 13 additional states after first being spotted in Pennsylvania more than a decade ago.

Moffitt said that a partnership between USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, APHIS, and state partners is designed to take a look at a five-year strategy to reduce the impacts on agriculture and the environment.

Steven Long, president of the National Plant Board told the group that more time is needed to solve the pest problem.

“We’re falling behind,” he said. “We’re losing the battle.

“Real problems take real time to solve. If we’re not careful, we’re going to lose this battle.”

With $17.8 million in federal funding set aside, and $6 million for Pennsylvania, several speakers talked about the dire need for additional funding.

According to a Tuesday release, issued by Houlahan’s office, the five-year plan outlines three priority goals:

1.  Effectively limit the advancement of Spotted Lanternfly and efficiently respond to its introduction within federal and state authority and resource availability.

2. Support continued scientific research toward practical management and risk mitigation.

3. Establish a consistent national- and state-level outreach message and educational campaign for the public and industries at risk for SLF dispersal.

Uhland talked about spotted lanternflies following the presentation.

He said the pests have no mouths and pierce the softer tissue on the outside of younger plants with a straw. The bug siphons liquids and sugars from the plants and leaves waste behind.

The nursery owner said that the bug doesn’t usually kill the plant, but does not let it grow to full capacity.

Uhland noted that only younger plants grow in nurseries.

Some plants are more susceptible than others, such as the tree of heaven.

“It’s putting a hurting on those guys,” he said.

Uhland said that sprays are effective, but there are too many plants and trees to spray statewide. The nurseryman has had to pay for chemicals, extra staff and equipment.

The plan was developed by the Spotted Lanternfly Strategic Planning Working Group with representatives from APHIS, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and the National Plant Board.

Federal and state partners will buy some time to work on limiting the spread of the spotted lanternfly while research advances on tools and pest management options.

The plan also harmonizes the national response in the short-term and allows state and federal partners to optimize limited funding and resources.