Not surprisingly, Pennsylvania, which is where the pest was first detected in September of 2014, has a significant presence of SLF. The areas of Pennsylvania most impacted include: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg–Lancaster–Lebanon–York, Philadelphia, Wilkes Barre–Scranton–Hazleton, and Johnstown–Altoona–State College.
Data gathered by TruGreen between May 1, 2022 and May 31, 2023 reveals the following Top 20 U.S. regions as the most, or most likely to be, impacted by SLF:
“Spotted lanternflies, an invasive species native to Asia found primarily along the Eastern Seaboard and continuing to spread throughout the country, can pose a threat to natural ecosystems. Their feeding habits can cause damage to trees and shrubs, so it’s important for residents in the identified areas to stay vigilant when adult spotted lanternflies are most active from July through December and take appropriate measures to control the spread of these pests before the egg-laying stage, which occurs September through November,” said Roger May, PhD, director of technical operations at TruGreen. “By working together, we can combat the spread of spotted lanternflies and protect the health and beauty of our outdoor living spaces.”
For more on spotted lanternfly control, see:
How To Trap Spotted Lanternfly, Not Other Wildlife
Handling Spotted Lanternfly On Client Properties
Three Tree & Shrub Pests To Watch
