The cheerful lanternfly is an “excellent hitchhiker” known for its ability to travel fast by clinging to cars. It is thought that he traveled from China to Pennsylvania by riding a ship.
“We have worked hard to slow the progress of this breach,” Department Secretary Douglas Fisher said in a statement.
“We are focusing on areas where severe infestations have been confirmed, and we are also encouraging residents to destroy the spotted lantern fly as much as possible when they see it. It will take a combined effort to help prevent this plague from spreading. “
Several crews throughout New Jersey are working to treat areas where the breach has been discovered. Treatments are aimed at the tree of the sky, which prevents the spotted lanternfly and is thought to reproduce.
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