“Great hitchhikers” is what one expert calls spotted lanternflies – invasive crop killers that have arrived in the area from downstate. State officials are asking the public to stop them from spreading further.
Rob Cole of the DEC says spotted lanternflies do most of their traveling by car. Particularly along the edges of wheel wells, grills, and the bottom of windshield wipers. Open windows in parked cars are another favorite.
Cole says, "They can hop on in and then you go for a drive and they'll hop on out somewhere else. That's how a lot of them get around. Just straight up right inside the vehicle."
Spotted lanternflies pose a big threat in Central New York. State horticulture inspector Scott Litwin says, to one multi-million-dollar industry in particular. "We want to save our grapes. People want their wine. Spotted lanternfly as well as going after ailanthus, it also likes grapevine. So, we're trying to prevent that from becoming an issue up in this area."
Officials says spotted lanternflies aren’t strong fliers but like to climb up tree bark to feed. They recommend a circle fly trap made specifically for trees, with a net that traps bugs, but not the birds who may want to eat them. Handheld vacuum cleaners work well too.
More information can be found on the DEC website.