In an effort to educate those possibly affected by the Spotted Lanternfly and to combat the spread of the insect, the non-profit Northern Tier Hardwood Association and the Wayne Conservation District host a free Spotted Lanternfly Informational Meeting and training program at the Park Street Complex in Honesdale on Tuesday, May 1.
Beginning at 9:30 am, the program will focus on preparing forest product industry professionals in government, business and other organizations. The program will include information about transporting goods in a quarantined area. Currently, there are 13 counties, mostly in the southern part of the state that fall under the forest products quarantine. These counties include both nearby Carbon and Monroe counties. The public is welcome at this session, but there will be an exam and permit, which are required for working in a quarantined area. The session will also cover impacts of pest feeding, recorded damage, pathways to spread, quarantine expansion and compliance agreements.
At 2 pm, the public education session will look at the biology and life cycle of the Spotted Lanternfly, its current distribution, the potential impact and spread of the pest as well as control measures, along with information about what to do if you find a Spotted Lanternfly.
According to the Northern Tier Hardwood Association, the Spotted Lanternfly poses a serious threat to the general public, the forest products industry and all commerce in Pennsylvania.
A native of China, the Spotted Lanternfly could possible work its way in to our region. It feeds on a variety of more than 70 species of plants including hardwood trees, grapes, apples, peaches, alianthas, hops and certain ornamental plants.The threat comes from the thefact that it lays its egg masses on any flat surface.
The meeting is free, but registration is required online or by phone at 570-253-0930