ODA: Destructive, Invasive Insect Recently Reported

Oregon Department of Agriculture officials are nervous after a destructive invasive species was recently discovered. A dead spotted lanternfly, was recently discovered in a shipment of planters and ceramic pots from Pennsylvania. When the insect was discovered the Corvallis-based nursery immediately contacted state officials.

“We are grateful to the nursery for alerting us about their discovery,” the agency’s Helmuth Rogg said. “The spotted lanternfly could become a serious pest here in the Pacific Northwest and we want to prevent it from coming to Oregon in the first place.”

ODA said the species poses a serious threat to tree fruit and grape production, and has become a “serious pest” for grapevines in South Korea. Spotted lanternflies eat more than 70 plant species including apples, hops, chestnuts and cherries.

The spotted lanternfly was first found in Pennsylvania in 2014 and it is believed to have arrived on shipments from China. Since then it has been detected in 11 eastern states.

ODA is not offering control suggestions at this time due to our intention to prevent the pest from establishing in Oregon. If you believe you have found SLF, please notify ODA immediately by calling 1-800-525-0137 or E-mailing the Agency.

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