I have written before about some very invasive insects, but a two need mentioning again so that everyone is aware now that spring is upon us. The spotted lanternfly, which actually looks pretty, is an invasive insect that was first detected in Pennsylvania in September, 2014 and believed to have arrived as eggs attached to stone in a shipment of stone. This pest is native to China and has been reported in some other Asian countries. Since its first occurrence in Berks County in Pennsylvania, it has now spread throughout the state and now is also reported in Delaware, New York and Virginia. 

Last year there were nearly one hundred reports of spotted lanternfly in Sullivan County alone. The eggs of the lanternfly are deposited in masses and covered by a waxy substance to protect them. There are four nymph stages in the lanternfly development and both nymphs and adults feed on the phloem (the soft green tissue inside the bark of trees), and excrete large volumes of liquid. Severe feeding damage results in oozing wounds on the trunk, so keep an eye out for that this spring. 

 Another invader from Asia is the emerald ash borer. Just like its name suggests the emerald ash borer is a destructive wood-boring pest of ash trees. Native to Asia, the emerald ash borer beetle was unknown in North America until its discovery in southeast Michigan in 2002. Just like the lanternfly, emerald ash borer eggs are deposited between bark crevices, flakes, or cracks and hatch about two weeks later. After hatching, larvae chews through the bark to the inner phloem, cambium, and outer xylem where they feed and develop. Emerald ash borers have four larval stages as well. After maturing, adults chew holes from their chamber inside the tree through the bark, which leaves a characteristic D-shaped exit hole. 

I have three ash trees that have been killed by the emerald ash borer at my house in Eldred, despite the best efforts of my woodpeckers to protect them. When I first saw the bark being shaved from my trees, I thought it was from a porcupine grinding its teeth down, when actually it was the woodpeckers trying to get to the emerald ash borer larvae that the woodpeckers could hear under the bark.

Because both of these insects, larvae are under the bark of the tree, beware of firewood if you didn’t cut it yourself nearby. There have been more and more cases of dangerous insects traveling into our area from abroad on or in firewood. There are restrictions in place that state firewood cannot be transported more than fifty miles from where it was harvested unless it has been kiln dried. Unfortunately, many people do not know about these restrictions and are unknowingly spreading these invasive insects.

 Spraying insecticides will help if you see you have a problem, but most people will not notice the problem until it is too late. This time of year it is a good idea to spray horticultural oil which will help in suffocating eggs laid on the bark so that they will not hatch out in the spring. This will work well in your yard but unfortunately all the trees in the forests around the northeast will not be sprayed and subject to insect devastation. If you have ever seen those purple boxes hanging in trees along country roads in the summer, those are insect collection boxes that the DEC put out to check rural areas for these pests. Being vigilant in looking for these pests is very important whether you are cutting firewood or just out for a hike. 

So if you see something, say something. You can report any insect sightings to the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Liberty at 845-292-6180.