ALBANY — The Capital Mohawk PRISM (Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management) Hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga has collaborated with Albany County Soil and Water Conservation District to construct an mobile billboard drawing awareness to the identification and reporting of the invasive Spotted Lanternfly (SLF).
The Fly poses a significant threat to New York’s agricultural and forest health. Adults and nymphs use their sucking mouthparts to feed on the sap of more than 70 plant species. Feeding by sometimes-thousands of SLF stresses plants, making them vulnerable to disease and attacks from other insects. SLFs also excrete large amounts of sticky “honeydew,” which attracts sooty molds that interfere with plant photosynthesis, negatively affecting the growth and fruit yield of plants. New York’s annual yield of apples and grapes, with a combined value of $358.4 million, could be impacted if the SLF enters New York. The full extent of economic damage this insect could cause is unknown at this time.
If you see this invasive insect report it! Please take photos and if possible collect the insect in a container for confirmation purposes.
Bureau of Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health
Division of Lands and Forests
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233
or contact our office at (518) 885 – 8995!
–Cornell Cooperative Extension Saratoga County
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