Jul 29, 2019

Pennsylvania rolls out quarantine classes for spotted lanternfly

Pennsylvania is readying its quarantine effort for spotted lanternflies found in 14 counties of the state that are affected.

Spotted Lanternflies, an invasive planthopper species that attacks fruit trees, was discovered in Berks County, Pennslyvania, in 2014. The quarantine effort now includes Berks, Bucks, Chester, Carbon, Dauphin, Delaware, Monroe, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Northampton, Montgomery, Philadelphia and Schuylkill counties.

It has the potential to greatly impact the stone fruit, grapes and hops industries, according to a press release from PennState Extension. Damage to blueberries, basil, cucumbers and horseradish have also been observed.

On May 26, 2018, a new Spotted Lanternfly Order of Quarantine and Treatment was published by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

An SLF permit is required for businesses working within the quarantine which move products or vehicles in or out of the quarantine area. Owners, supervisors, managers or employees designated by the business should complete the training – people who take the training will be responsible to train other employees on what to look for and how to safeguard against moving them.

Free training classes consist of a pre-recorded training session and a 20-question exam. A 70% score on the exam is required to pass the class and receive a permit. To register for a class, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at 717-787-5674 or [email protected].

Times and locations for the class are listed below:

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Spotted wing drosophila active in North Carolina blueberries