Photo credit: State of NJ Dept. of Agriculture
Spotted lanternflies are destructive, herbivorous insects that will devour and stress nearly any plant species, although their favored host tree is the Tree of Heaven (an invasive tree, itself). They can be especially destructive to fruit-bearing trees and crops.
Philadelphia and surrounding counties are under a quarantine because of the dangers and ease of transporting the flies and their eggs. This includes the prohibited transport of dead wood and plants which can harbor the eggs from the area.
These colorful insects do not bite humans, but they do breed and spread rapidly.
Please follow these links to more information from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation on what actions are being taken and what you can do to help:
https://www.phila.gov/2018-08-
If you do find spotted lanternflies in Carpenter’s Woods, please let Friends of Carpenter’s Woods and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation know when and where you saw the insects. A photograph of the sighting is helpful. There are additional reporting methods listed on the PP&R site.
