NEWARK, Del. — The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) has enacted a quarantine for the spotted lanternfly in some New Castle County zip codes. This invasive species, which is originally found in China, India or Vietnam, is a destructive plant hopper that attacks many hosts including forests, ornamental trees, orchards, hops and grapes. This insect is detrimental to Delaware’s agricultural industries, environment, residential areas and interstate commerce.
Learn more about this invasive species from UD Cooperative Extension.
Adult spotted lanternflies are an inch long and about one-half inch wide. The front wings are grey with black spots and the hind wings are red with black spots. Its abdomen is yellow with black bands. Immature insects are smaller, black with white spots, and as they age red patches develop. Heavy populations may cause branch dieback, wilting or plant death.
To help keep this pest from spreading to other areas of the state or country, Delaware residents are asked, before moving outdoor items, to make sure all items are free from this pest. DDA offers a compliance checklist.
To check if your area is under the quarantine, the Delaware Department of Agriculture has a spotted lanternfly quarantine locator.
–Dante LaPenta, University of Delaware