(Backyard Gardener - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

Hello Mid-Ohio Valley farmers and gardeners! This first week of July is definitely hot, as the heat index climbs into the upper 90s. Keep in mind the garden and all those containers will need some extra water during the heat wave. Some of the early tomatoes planted will begin bearing fruit over the next couple weeks.

Now would be a good time to plant another few rows of sweet corn in addition to some cucumbers and half runner beans. It is a good idea to stagger some plantings of vegetables throughout the summer to provide a continual harvest.

This week I want to talk about a new pest that has been found in West Virginia, the spotted lanternfly (ycorma delicatula). West Virginians should continue to be on the lookout for this new invasive insect pest, which attacks several host plants such as grapes, hops, and various fruit and timber trees.

Native to Asia, this pest was first detected in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in the fall of 2014. However, it has since spread to 14 counties in southeastern Pennsylvania, as well as counties in Virginia, Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey.

In 2019, a small population of spotted lanternfly was found near the town of Bunker Hill, W.Va., in Berkeley county. The Eastern Panhandle is home to a profitable orchard industry, which could be affected by an increased spotted lanternfly population.

According to information from our neighbors in Pennsylvania, we should be very concerned about this pest spreading throughout the Mountain State. Spotted lanternfly is a serious invasive pest with a healthy appetite for plants and it can be a significant nuisance, affecting the quality of life and enjoyment of the outdoors.

If not contained, spotted lanternfly potentially could drain Pennsylvania’s economy of at least $324 million annually, according to a study carried out by economists at Penn State.

Spotted lanternfly adults are approximately 1 inch in size with grayish forewings marked with black spots and small black brick-like markings near the wing tips. The hindwings are marked with distinct patches of red, white and black.

Adults lay yellowish-brown egg masses that are covered with a gray, waxy coating. The immature stages of the insect, or nymphs, are black with white spots, and they eventually develop bright red patches as they near adulthood.

Spotted lanternfly eggs are laid in masses containing 30-50 individual eggs that will overwinter and hatch in the spring. Females will lay eggs on any flat vertical surface, including trees, stones, vehicles, grills, and outdoor furniture.

Fresh egg masses can be found from October-December. They are about one inch long and have a grey mud-like covering which cracks over time as it dries out. The covering eventually flakes off revealing 30-50 brown eggs which resemble seeds set in 4-7 rows.

Spotted lanternfly has the potential to infest over 70 species of trees and vines. osts include a wide range of fruit, ornamental and forest trees and vines, including: grape, apple, plum, cherry, peach, nectarine, maple and walnut. All of these hosts play an important role in the economy and ecology of West Virginia.

Nymphs are known to feed on a wide range of plant species; however, adults prefer feeding and laying eggs on the invasive tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) particularly in the late summer and fall. From tree-of-heaven in particular, the insects may obtain toxic chemicals from the tree which make them poisonous to potential predators.

The spotted lanternfly injures host plants by sucking the fluids (sap) from plant tissue, threatening a plant’s health. If left unmanaged, it can eventually kill the plant.

They also produce copious amounts of a sugary liquid called honeydew, which can promote the growth of a black-colored fungus called sooty mold and attract other insects. Sooty mold blocks sunlight and inhibits photosynthesis; a vital process for orchard trees and vineyard vines to produce fruit.

As seen in Pennsylvania over the past several years, spotted lanternfly can spread rapidly when introduced to new areas, especially if major highways, railways or rivers are in proximity of the introduction site. The key to controlling the spread of this invasive pest throughout West Virginia will be early detection and prompt eradication efforts.

Eradication efforts include physical trapping of the insect in all life stages, removal of tree-of-heaven and continued monitoring by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and citizens for new populations and egg mass.

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture is diligently working to prevent the continued spread of spotted lanternfly with joint efforts including the USDA APHIS, WVU Extension and other professional agricultural agencies.

Currently, quarantines have been established in counties with infestations to stop or slow the spread of spotted lanternfly into new areas. In addition, efforts are being taken to slow the spread of this insect and limit its movement outside of these areas.

You can help prevent the spread of spotted lanternfly by inspecting your vehicle and any outdoor equipment (grills, mowers, camping supplies, firewood, etc.) when traveling in and out of the quarantine zones.

Furthermore, removing one of its preferred host plants, tree-of-heaven, from your property may also be a good idea. This invasive tree looks very similar to native sumac and black walnut, so correct identification of the plant is important. Contact the extension office for assistance.

If you find an insect that you believe is the spotted lanternfly, include as much detail about the location, date and insect activity. Collect a specimen or take a high-quality photograph, and contact your local WVU Extension office. You can contact the West Virginia Department of Agriculture bugbusters detection email at bugbusters@wvda.us

Looking for more information? Check out our WVU Extension Gardening page at extension.wvu.edu/lawn-gardening-pests/gardening. Contact me at the Wood County WVU Extension office at (304)-424-1960 or at jj.barrett@mail.wvu.edu with your questions. Until next time, Good Luck and Happy Gardening!