Spotted Lanternfly has Been Found in SWNY- Report Them to Help Slow the Outbreak
Amy Barkley, Livestock Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program
Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive pest that has a huge appetite for grape vines, fruit trees, maple trees, and other plants, has been sighted in WNY. While there have been two sightings, one in Buffalo (Erie County) last year and one most recently in West Seneca (Erie County), the spot of good news is that these insects were isolated sightings, and only adults have been found. Furthermore, the West Seneca spotting was a skeletonized adult, meaning that it had been there since last year. It is thought that both insects were transported into the region via inanimate objects (cars, building materials), due to the isolation of the insects and the fact that they were adults.
Based on how quickly the bug has spread since its introduction in 2014, and because SWNY is relatively close to outbreak regions in NY and PA, we know that at some point, it will make its way into our region. However, we may be able to delay the spread until we have the tools developed that can decrease the huge agronomic losses it causes. While the two cases that were identified in SWNY were deemed isolated, it is not guaranteed that the next sighting will be. We all need to be vigilant to help identify where this pest is moving.
If you think that you've found a Spotted Lanternfly in any life stage, take a photograph, which will allow the NYS Department of Ag and Markets to confirm an ID. Next, kill the insect (by freezing is best if you can manage it), and bring it to someone who will ID it and report it to Ag and Markets. Your local CCE office can help with this.
![](https://nydairyadmin.cce.cornell.edu/images/submission/4e2716da4499c3557e96a74de366de95.jpeg)
![](https://nydairyadmin.cce.cornell.edu/images/submission/dca54897fd0ee57eef61e66b71b77789.jpeg)
Spotted Lanternfly Resources:
This fact sheet gives an overview of the life stages of the Spotted Lanternfly to aid in identification: https://agriculture.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2021/01/slf_eggmasses.pdf
Current Distribution Map and the SLF Reporting Portal link can be found here:
https://nysipm.cornell.edu/environment/invasive-species-exotic-pests/spotted-lanternfly/
Original article by Amy Barkley, July 12th, 2022 - Updated on July 19th, 2022.
Upcoming Events
2024 Aurora Farm Field Day
![Event Offers DEC Credits](../images/dec_credits.gif)
August 1, 2024
Aurora, NY
The annual Cornell Field Crop Research Field Day will be Thursday, August 1 at the Musgrave Research Farm, Aurora, N.Y. The program features walking and hay wagon tours in the morning and afternoon.
2024 Broiler Field Day at Laughing Earth Farm
August 19, 2024 : 2024 Broiler Field Day at Laughing Earth Farm
Cropseyville, NY
Join us for a free field day to explore broiler production, processing, and finances. Zack and Annie Metzger will be our hosts. They have run this 200 year-old small diversified farm for 8 years. They process their poultry in a 20C kitchen, where they produce value-added products like sausage and dehydrated chicken feet.
2024 Broiler Field Day at Majestic Farm
August 20, 2024 : 2024 Broiler Field Day at Majestic Farm
Mountaindale, NY
Join us for a free field day to explore broiler production, processing, and finances. Brett and Sara Budde will be our hosts. They raise slow-growth organic broilers on their diversified farm in large flocks on woodland pasture. Their birds are processed into whole birds, parts, and chicken sausage.
Announcements
No announcements at this time.