Spotted Lanternfly monitoring program coming soon

Lexie Davis, Natural Resources Educator, CCE Yates County YATES COUNTY -- Spotted Lanternfly infestations have recently been discovered in the Buffalo, Syracuse, and Ithaca areas. This poses a significant threat to Yates County as people from these areas often travel through and recreate in the area. It is crucial for the local economy and vegetation that we look for SLF presence before infestations take hold. Therefore, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Yates County is starting a Spotted Lanternfly Monitoring Program in 2023.

The Spotted Lanternfly ( Lycorma delicatula) is native to China and was first detected in Pennsylvania in Sept. 2014. Spotted lanternflies (SLF) feed on a wide range of fruit, ornamental, and woody trees such as grapes and maples, but prefer tree-of-heaven ( Ailanthus altissima).

This invasive pest could seriously impact the grape, orchard, and logging industries.

The Spotted Lanternfly Monitoring Program will consist of citizen scientist volunteers monitoring their own properties or public lands for the presence of Spotted Lanternflies. To protect Yates County from seeing the harmful effects of this invasive, we are asking those interested in monitoring for SLF to contact Lexie Davis at CCE Yates County. Each volunteer will be trained on how to identify SLF nymphs, adults, and egg masses. Volunteers will survey their zone for these identifiers in July through November. Volunteers will report their findings through an online survey that can be taken using a cellphone, tablet, or computer. To sign up or learn more about the Spotted Lanternfly Monitoring Program please email Lexie Davis at abd97@cornell.edu.

Spotted Lanternfly monitoring program coming soon

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