You may have heard about the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect from Asia that threatens hardwood trees, grape vines, fruit trees and other plants. In Pennsylvania, the leaf-hopper was first found in Berks County; sadly, and alarmingly, it’s been found not only in adjacent counties, but in other states.

Here’s what you need to know, and action you must take if you’re a business owner, organization or municipal official within the quarantine area — those entities conducting business both within, and in and out of the quarantine zones, must have a permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to move vehicles, equipment and goods. Those who don’t get a permit — and the agriculture department is hiring dozens to monitor compliance — could be fined up to $25,000. The deadline to obtain the permit is May 1.

The Penn State Extension and the Schuylkill Conservation District, on the invitation of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, held an informational meeting on the spotted lanternfly Thursday morning at the Schuylkill County South Tech campus, Marlin. In Schuylkill County, the insect has been found in the Deer Lake Industrial Park and behind the Cressona Mall. It’s been spotted in the rest of the region as well.

Representatives from the extensions explained that the insects are not strong fliers, but have been able to spread by “hitching a ride” either by traveling inside a vehicle as adult fliers or laying eggs on something that is transported.

“They’ve been found in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, New York and Connecticut, but unfortunately it seems to be our area where they’re growing and breeding,” said Tom Reed, Penn State Extension, assistant master gardener. “When we’re tracking movement, it seems to occur along major highways.”

Although the adults die in cold weather, they have already laid eggs that can withstand winters of greater cold than are experienced in Pennsylvania. One female can lay thousands of eggs, on trees, vertical or horizontal flat surfaces, buildings — eggs have been found on a wide variety of objects, living and inanimate. They will hatch in spring.

“It’s hard to get people to understand that it’s a huge problem,” said Kyle Schutt, insect management technician for the Schuylkill Conservation District. “When they hatch, they come by the thousands.”

“We need businesses to get educated and get the permits; we also really need the public to get involved.”

Business owners

To obtain a permit, take the training online at extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly. You may have one person, a designated employee or employees, who trains other employees. The permit is evidence that a representative from the business has completed the training, learned to follow the rules of the quarantine order, and has agreed to do everything possible to monitor equipment for the spotted lanternfly. The permit is a tag designed to be displayed on a rearview mirror of a vehicle. There is no cost for permits and a number can be ordered by the person who takes the training.

A wide variety of business owners attended Thursday’s presentation. Some own businesses which would be directly impacted by the pest, such as a group of orchard and vineyard owners from the Hegins area. Others routinely move equipment, both within, or in and out of the quarantine area — such as Reading Anthracite/Jack Rich Inc., Cass Township municipal employees, R&J Bus Co., Cardinal Systems (swimming pool and parts manufacturer), Bartush Signs of Orwigsburg, and a number of trucking, manufacturing and logging companies.

“We make machined and fabricated parts, which are shipped,” said Denise Stoner, human resources manager for Ashland Technologies, Hegins and Delano. “As soon as we learned about the permit requirement, we began taking steps to be in compliance.”

The Department of Agriculture can monitor compliance by keeping tabs on entities that complete the training. They may also stop vehicles at various locations on roadways.

General public

Spring is a critical time of the year to be vigilant about the spotted lanternfly. That’s when people may move things such as boats, campers, lawn mowers, grills, truck beds, firewood and other gear that’s been stationary through the winter. And adult spotted lanternflies may have laid eggs just about anywhere. A checklist complete with color photos of all life stages of the insect is available from www.pda.state.pa.us/spottedlanternfly.

How can you identify the eggs, or spotted lanternflies in various life stages? The eggs are present from September to June and look like dried up dabs of joint compound that have turned gray and cracked. The insect goes through four stages, with the first three small black insects with white spots. The telltale red markings on the wings are only on the adults, and only visible when the fly is in flight.

Pictures of all stages of the spotted lanternfly are available on the Penn State Extension website. You should destroy any stage of the spotted lanternfly you find, and report it to the Penn State Extension or your local Conservation District.

“They are not particular as to where they lay eggs,” Reed said. “Basically people in the quarantine area need to educate themselves and learn what to look for — and look everywhere.”