Spotted lanternfly spreads to another midstate county
Photo by Courtesty Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
(Harrisburg) — An invasive pest that threatens Pennsylvania’s fruit and timber industries has now spread to another midstate county.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is expanding the quarantine zone for the spotted lanternfly to Dauphin County.
The insect native to Asia was first discovered in Berks County about five years ago. It’s since spread to at least 14 counties, including Lancaster, Lebanon, and Schuylkill.
The quarantine means all businesses in the designated area that move products or vehicles within and outside the zone are required to get a permit through an online course, which is designed to help them recognize the spotted lanternfly across life stages and prevent its movement.
The agriculture department will start performing inspections in May to ensure businesses have obtained permits and educated employees.
The agency encourages all Pennsylvania business owners, managers, or supervisors to register for a free business permit webinar to be held on Thursday, March 21 from 1-2 p.m.
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