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Spotted lanternflies will hatch earlier than usual this year, experts say

PITTSBURGH — Typically, spotted lanternfly hatch in early May, but because of the warmer March we experienced, they’re already starting to hatch.

“With warm weather, we’re expecting lanternflies everywhere,” said Tree Pittsburgh Director of Education Joe Stavish.

Right now, spotted lanternflies are everywhere. They’re just harder to spot.

“They just look like patches of mud,” said Stavish.

Inside each of these mud-looking egg masses are 30-50 spotted lanternfly eggs.

“We needed colder weather to kick back some of the population, but we didn’t really get that this year,” said Stavish. “I think a lot of people will notice them this year.”

When they hatch, they’re about the size of a tick.

“It’s kind of gross, but they’re still recommending that you squish these things,” said Stavish. “That would be with your hand, a glove, a piece of cardboard. Whatever you choose. Old credit card. Old gift card. Some people are saying you could use different soaps and vinegar treatments, but honestly, the best treatment is to just smash these things.”

Joe Stavish is with Tree Pittsburgh. He says to be careful putting sticky bands on trees.

“Those are okay as long as you put them up with caution,” said Stavish. “Those sticky bands can trap a lot of our native songbirds. Small mammals. Really anything that’s going up and down the tree. So if you use those, use those with caution. Put some type of protective wire around them so that other animals aren’t getting stuck on them.”

The spotted lanternfly first appeared in Western Pennsylvania in 2020. According to a Penn State study, if they’re not contained, they could drain the state’s economy of at least 324 million dollars a year. Stavish suggests people pay extra attention to young trees right now.

“A lot of our big trees are fine,” said Stavish. “They may be covered in the insect, but they’re not showing signs of decline or loss. It’s the young trees that we’re worried about. Trees that have been planted in the last 2-3 years because if those get covered then they could potentially dry up. So we’re asking people to look at those trees. Give them extra water. Even now, it’s been so dry. A lot of our trees are already struggling for water. So we want to make sure we’re tending to them throughout the summertime.”

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