Ed Kennell 38,028 #1 Posted January 13, 2021 No it wasn't the IRS or the DEA. The USDA (US Dept of Agriculture) called me and asked if they could do an inspection of my property for spotted lantern fly egg sacks. They were following up from a report I sent to the Pa Dept of Ag back in Sept. after I found 5-6 of the invasive insects. Seems I am right on the edge of the spreading infestation coming from the SE Some of the neighbors got concerned when the two pickups with USDA licenses plates and two drivers wearing orange vests labeled ASDA AGENT started walking around the property looking at every surface where the bugs have been known to lay eggs. i.e. trees, siding, rocks etc. We did find one sac about 20' up a silver maple tree.https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/PlantIndustry/Entomology/spotted_lanternfly/Pages/default.aspx 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 16,985 #2 Posted January 13, 2021 Another gift from china? 3 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,494 #3 Posted January 13, 2021 Is there a season on the little buggers? They didn’t mess with your tree stand(s) did they? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,028 #4 Posted January 13, 2021 13 minutes ago, wallfish said: Another gift from china? Yep 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,028 #5 Posted January 13, 2021 12 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said: Is there a season on the little buggers? They didn’t mess with your tree stand(s) did they? Open season no bag limit. It's strange, all the time I spend in the tree stands, I have neve seen one. The travel for miles to get to my fruit trees. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,199 #6 Posted January 13, 2021 (edited) Invasives! YECCHHH! We've got a problem with invasive plants around here. Porcelain Berry looks like wild grapes, but it's NOT. It is a lot like Kudzu in that it will smother wooded areas in short order. We too have been on the lookout for the lantern flies here. I volunteer with the NJ Invasive Species task force. "Citizen Scientist" I believe they refer to us as. Edited January 13, 2021 by Jeff-C175 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tunahead72 2,411 #7 Posted January 14, 2021 They're all over the place around here -- Chester County, not quite a couple hours east of you, Ed. We've had them bad for 2-3 years now. They're disgusting little creatures, every stage of their miserable life looks like some sort of miniature alien being. Last year about this time, my wife and I cleared out a bunch of trees we didn't want here, mostly walnut, some cherry and other species. We found and destroyed dozens of the egg sacs, it seemed to make a difference in how many we saw later in the year. Be vigilant, and pay attention to all the recommendations that PA and the Feds share with you. There's things you can do every season to reduce their population, it all helps. And good luck! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slim67 2,735 #8 Posted January 14, 2021 Speaking of invasive species, my idea of a nice vacation would be to catch Pythons down in the Florida everglades. They are an established species and a serious threat to all the indigenous wildlife. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,302 #9 Posted January 14, 2021 I'm just a few air miles from @Ed Kennell, just a few months ago I saw my first invasion of the Chinese Lantern Flies on my property. There was a heavy wild grape vine growing up a tree that was weeping sap, a solid column of the miserable things were feeding on that sap. I sprayed them with Raid Flying Insect Killer and they dropped like, well, flies. My dentist is across the river in Lancaster county, in the parking lot is a huge oak tree that is crawling with the aliens, so I reported it. Come to find out that the area is a lost cause and the Ag department moved on to the battle fronts. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
