See it? Squish it: Officials warn about the spotted lanternfly and the damage it can do

NEW AT FOUR AN INVASIVE FLY FROM ASIA COULD BE CAUSING ALL KINDS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS HERE IN THE PIEDMONT TRIAD, THE FIRST TO LIVE POPULATION WAS FOUND IN THE KERNERSVILLE AREA LAST SUMMER AND IT’S STILL THE ONLY KNOWN INFESTATION IN THE STATE. LUCKILY, THEY ARE HARMLESS TO ANIMALS AND HUMANS. THE ONLY HARM THEY POSE TO HUMANS IS A NUISANCE. BASICALLY BEING KIND OF AN ANNOYANCE REALLY. BUT THEY DON’T BITE OR STING. THE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY. IT’S ONE OF THE MOST PREVALENT INVASIVE SPECIES IN THE US. IT’S AN INSECT THAT LOOKS LIKE THIS ABOUT AN INCH LONG, GAINING ITS NAME FROM ITS SPOTS. THE MAJOR PROBLEM RIGHT NOW IS THE NUISANCE. THEY’RE GOING TO BE PRESENT IN HIGH NUMBERS. THEY SAY THEY DON’T HAVE A LOT OF NATURAL ENEMIES. RIGHT NOW OR PARASITES. THAT’S ONE THING A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STUDYING. THE BUG IS NATIVE TO ASIA AND WAS FIRST FOUND IN THE US AND PENNSYLVANIA IN 2014. IT’S MANAGED TO SPREAD TO 12 STATES IN JUST EIGHT YEARS. RECENTLY, THE INSECTS WERE SPOTTED WITHIN A FEW MILES RADIUS OF KERNERSVILLE REALLY IN THIS SITUATION THEY WERE LOOKING FOR AND THEY CONFIRMED A BREEDING POPULATION. AND AND THIS YEAR THEY’RE FINDING ACTUAL YOUNG EMERGING AND ACTUALLY SHOWING THAT THEY’RE REPRODUCING HERE IN THE AREA. THE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY FEED ON PLANTS AND DURING HEAVY INFESTATIONS COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS TO CERTAIN FRUITS. FOR INSTANCE, THE GRAPE INDUSTRY IS REALLY WORRIED BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN EVIDENCE THAT THEY CAN IMPACT GRAPE GROWTH AND PRODUCTION BY MASSIVE FEEDING ON THAT PLANT. THE PESTS CAN ALSO IMPACT POPULAR PLANTS USED FOR LANDSCAPES AROUND HOMES AND BUSINESSES, WHICH IS ANOTHER CONCERN. THEY DO BECOME OVERWHELMING SOMETIMES ON PLANTS. THEY CAN BUILD UP HUGE POPULATIONS. OFFICIALS ASK THAT IF YOU SEE THE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY, TAKE A PICTURE OF IT AND REPORT IT TO THE STATE

Beware the bug. Be on lookout for an invasive fly from Asia that has been reported in North Carolina.Click the video player above to watch video from our newsgathering partners at WGALTop Stories'Not wanted in NASCAR': Radio incident after North Wilkesboro Speedway All-Star race targets Bubba WallaceNorth Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper declares state of emergency for public education in the stateWinston-Salem fire, police departments investigate deadly townhouse fireGet the latest news stories of interest by clicking hereThe spotted lanternfly is a potentially destructive pest that was first sighted in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in 2014, according to the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service.Since then, it has been found in nine other states in New England and the Midwest. In late 2021, an infestation was found near the Virginia-North Carolina state line.During heavy infestations, the spotted lanternfly may kill grapevines, and mating swarms may disrupt events at vineyards. It feeds on more than 100 species of plants, including hops, fruit trees and native trees. It is also attracted to popular plants used for landscaping around homes and businesses.Spotted lanternflies are native to China, India and Vietnam, N.C. State reports.Pretty with red wing markings, the spotted lanternfly is nonetheless a nuisance and a threat — the sort of insect that inspires people to post about squishing and stomping them on social media.In cities, it swarms outside buildings and lands on pedestrians. It excretes a sticky substance called honeydew that can collect on outdoor furniture. The sap-sucking insect also poses a danger to grapes and other agricultural crops.So, what do you do if you see one of these beautiful killers? Show no mercy.Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscastsNAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Watch NOWCAST TV | Local News | National | News We LoveKeep up with local news, weather, and current events with the WXII app here

RALEIGH, N.C. —

Beware the bug. Be on lookout for an invasive fly from Asia that has been reported in North Carolina.

Click the video player above to watch video from our newsgathering partners at WGAL

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The spotted lanternfly is a potentially destructive pest that was first sighted in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in 2014, according to the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service.

Since then, it has been found in nine other states in New England and the Midwest. In late 2021, an infestation was found near the Virginia-North Carolina state line.

During heavy infestations, the spotted lanternfly may kill grapevines, and mating swarms may disrupt events at vineyards. It feeds on more than 100 species of plants, including hops, fruit trees and native trees. It is also attracted to popular plants used for landscaping around homes and businesses.

Spotted lanternflies are native to China, India and Vietnam, N.C. State reports.

Hearst Owned

Pretty with red wing markings, the spotted lanternfly is nonetheless a nuisance and a threat — the sort of insect that inspires people to post about squishing and stomping them on social media.

In cities, it swarms outside buildings and lands on pedestrians. It excretes a sticky substance called honeydew that can collect on outdoor furniture. The sap-sucking insect also poses a danger to grapes and other agricultural crops.

So, what do you do if you see one of these beautiful killers? Show no mercy.

Hearst Owned

Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscasts

Keep up with local news, weather, and current events with the WXII app here

See it? Squish it: Officials warn about the spotted lanternfly and the damage it can do

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