Shown is a spotted lanternfly in Philadelphia, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Why it’s “light’s out” for this newly spotted invasive species in Michigan.
Grab the flyswatter, because an invasive species has been, well, spotted in the Mitten State and officials with the Michigan Invasive Species Program are urging Michiganders to squish it and report any potential sightings.
The spotted lanternfly, a bug that shares familial ties with cicadas and aphids, has recently been found in areas of Oakland County. These pests can spread to new locations by hitchhiking or laying eggs on vehicles and equipment that have traveled through infested areas. Once they attach themselves to a plant, the spotted lanternfly oozes large amounts of a sugar-rich, sticky liquid that can attract other pests—like yellow jackets, flies, and ants. This bug party could put a huge damper on your favorite outdoor activity and, if things get really bad, potentially jeopardize Michigan’s crops.
These colorful planthoppers are mostly likely to be spotted from late summer to early fall. MISP’s new campaign—“See it. Squish it. Report it.”—reminds Michiganders and visitors of the simple steps they can take to prevent new introductions of spotted lanternflies in the state.
“If you see a spotted lanternfly, yes, we really do want you to squish it if you can. Then, take a photo or two and report it to us through the online Eyes in the Field reporting system,” said Rob Miller, the invasive species prevention and response specialist for Michigan’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). “It’s important to get to know what the spotted lanternfly looks like, though, because we don’t want to target harmless native insects with pretty wings.”
If you are returning from out of state, it’s important to look for and destroy spotted lanternfly insects and egg masses that may be hiding on cars, trailers, firewood, camping gear or anything that’s been outside. To learn more information on the spotted lanternfly, including identification, look-alike species and how to report, check out Michigan.gov/SpottedLanternfly.
Author
Support Our Cause
Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Michiganders and our future.
Since day one, our goal here at The 'Gander has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Michigan families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.
Residents assess damage, begin cleanup after deadly Michigan tornadoes
Among the rubble and tornado-battered houses along Tuttle Road in Union City on Sunday, March 8, a pole waving a large American flag stood strong....
Reps: Questions remain around death of ICE inmate in Michigan facility
BALDWIN—Two members of Michigan's congressional delegation say questions remain surrounding the December death of an inmate at a Baldwin processing...
Michigan’s Mallory McMorrow takes on Big Tech as US Senate run heats up
Big Tech companies profit from getting kids addicted to social media, and they have few regulations or levels of accountability when kids are hurt...
Woman drops off seemingly human skull to Chelsea Goodwill
A woman dropped off what appeared to be a human skull at a Goodwill donation center in Chelsea, according to police. While on patrol, an officer was...
Bottle, can redemption machine allows for dumping whole bag at once
Michigan's 10-cent beverage bottle and can deposit program was once the envy of the recycling nation, boasting a return rate above 95%. But in...
