PITTSTOWN, N.J. — The New Jersey Nursery & Landscape Association has scheduled an Emergency Green Industry/Trade Information Session on the spotted lanternfly for Thursday at 3:30 p.m. at Beneduce Vineyards, One Jeremiah Lane, Pittstown, N.J.
The spotted lanternfly appears to have caused more damage in less time than any invasive insect to arrive in the mid-Atlantic region, and it’s proliferating more rapidly than the researchers trying to learn about it can handle.
New Jersey is next. Early detection is vital to effectively control this pest.
The spotted lanternfly adult is approximately 1” long and 1/2” wide at rest. The forewing is grey with black spots and the wings tips are reticulated black blocks outlined in grey. The hind wings have contrasting patches of red and black with a white band. The legs and head are black; the abdomen is yellow with broad black bands. Immature stages are black with white spots and develop red patches as they grow.
It feasts on more host plants than expected, reproduces more quickly than anticipated and faces no known native predators.
More than 100 farmers, garden center owners, nurseries, landscape professionals and academia have already registered.
For more information about NJNLA, visit www.njnla.org or contact Lori Jenssen, NJNLA Executive Director, at 908-310-9722.
The NJNLA is the oldest green industry organization in New Jersey and supports all industry businesses, nurseries, landscape professionals and garden centers by advocating on issues of importance; collecting and distributing important information, articles and best management practices; and coordinating educational and networking events to strengthen connections within the industry.
— New Jersey Nursery & Landscape Association