The initiative reflects a shared commitment to safeguard the region’s grape industry and reassure growers that state partners and the land-grant system are working together to address the potential impacts of spotted lanternfly on New York’s agricultural crops.

“Protecting our growers is at the heart of our land-grant mission,” said Jennier Phillips Russo, LERGP team leader. “By combining local expertise with State resources, these structured grid surveys allow us to detect any presence of spotted lanternfly quickly and respond decisively. We want growers and community partners to know we are on it — methodically, transparently, and with urgency.”

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive planthopper that feeds on grapevines and other hosts, excreting honeydew that promotes sooty mold and can lead to reduced vigor, fruit quality issues, and significant economic losses. Early detection and rapid response are critical to minimizing spread and protecting vineyards.

The grid searches, conducted by trained teams from the state Agriculture and Markets Division of Plant Industry and LERGP, used systematic, block-by-block visual scouting to look for all spotted lanternfly life stages, including egg masses and adults. Surveys, which took place over the course of a few weeks, prioritized high-risk corridors and habitats, including vineyard edges, transportation routes, rail lines, warehouse areas, and sites with Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), a preferred host. Data was mapped and shared in real time to inform follow-up actions and, if necessary, containment and eradication efforts.

An adult spotted lanternfly is pictured.

“Thanks to the collaboration with our partners at the Lake Erie Regional Grape Program, we are able to ensure a thorough and rapid response to reports of spotted lanternfly in the area. While we continue our work to manage spotted lanternfly , we are focused on doing all we can to protect the grape and wine economy in this region,” said Richard Ball, state agriculture commissioner.

The grid searches, conducted by trained teams from AGM’s Division of Plant Industry and LERGP, used systematic, block-by-block visual scouting to look for all spotted lanternfly life stages, including egg masses and adults. Surveys, which took place over the course of a few weeks, prioritized high-risk corridors and habitats, including vineyard edges, transportation routes, rail lines, warehouse areas, and sites with Tree-of-Heaven, a preferred host. Data was mapped and shared in real time to inform follow-up actions and, if necessary, containment and eradication efforts.

The effort builds on the strengths of the land-grant system–research-based guidance, local relationships, and responsive extension supported with the enforcement, regulatory, and diagnostic capabilities of the state. Together, the partners will:

– focus on early detection, rapid reporting, and rapid follow-up where suspect findings occur,

– share timely updates and best practices with growers and the community, and

– provide guidance on sanitation and movement of materials to reduce accidental transport.

Growers and residents can help by knowing what to look for, including all spotted lanternfly life stages: gray, putty-like egg masses (wintertime); black or red-spotted nymphs (spring and early summer); and distinctive adults with spotted wings (late summer to winter). Area residents are asked to check and clean vehicles, equipment, pallets, trailers, and outdoor items before moving them. Other suggestions include identifying and managing Tree-of-Heaven on and near vineyard properties, where appropriate and to report possible sightings of spotted lanternfly in the grape growing regions promptly through the state Agriculture and Markets spotted lanternfly reporting channels and contact the local Cornell Cooperative Extension office for guidance. Visit Reportspotted lanternfly.com to report a possible spotted lanternfly.

“Collaboration like this makes a real difference,” Phillips Russo added. “Our growers can be confident that monitoring is thorough, the science is sound, and the response is coordinated. We will continue to communicate what we find and what it means for vineyard management.”

For updates on spotted lanternfly monitoring and management recommendations, growers can contact the Lake Erie Regional Grape Program or visit the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ online resources.

IDENTIFYING SPOTTED LANTERNFLY AND SPOTTED LANTERNFLY EGG MASSES

Adult spotted lanternfly are easy to identify and are approximately one inch long and half an inch wide at rest, with eye-catching wings. Adults are active from July to December and begin laying eggs in September.

Eggs are laid in one-inch-long segmented rows of up to about 50 eggs covered in a creamy-white, putty-like substance that becomes pinkish-gray as it dries. After a few weeks the covering turns a darker tan and starts to crack, resembling a splotch of mud. Depending on the substrate, egg masses can be difficult to see and may be laid in protected locations that are difficult to inspect thoroughly.

SCRAPING EGG MASSES

Spotted lanternfly can lay their eggs on any number of surfaces, such as vehicles, stone, rusty metal, outdoor furniture, and firewood. Residents are asked to scrape egg masses off the surface using scraper cards, credit cards, or anything else that is hard, tapered, and flat. Kill the eggs by putting them into a re-sealable bag that contains rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer and dispose of them in the solution to be assured they will not hatch. Each egg mass contains up to 50 eggs, so removing as many as possible can reduce the numbers that will hatch in the spring.

NEW YORK STATE’S RESPONSE

Since the first detection of spotted lanternfly in New York on Staten Island in 2020, AGM, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and New York State Integrated Pest Management (IPM) have been working closely with partners statewide and nationally, such as the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Department of Transportation, Thruway Authority, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Cornell Cooperative Extension network to slow the spread of this invasive insect. The State’s work focuses on tracking the presence of spotted lanternfly to be sure that growers and other impacted parties are prepared and have access to current management information.

Learn more on the Department’s website at agriculture.ny.gov/spottedlanternfly. Additional information about managing spotted lanternfly can be found on Cornell CALS IPM’s website.

SPOTTED LANTERNFLY IMPACTS TO NEW YORK AGRICULTURE

The estimated total economic impact of invasive insects in the United States exceeds $70 billion per year, and if not contained, spotted lanternfly could have an impact to New York State of at least $300 million annually, mainly to the grape and wine industry, which ranks third in the country in production. spotted lanternfly also has the potential to significantly hinder quality of life and recreational activities due to the honeydew and the swarms of insects it attracts.