Delaware’s quarantine in response to the invasive Spotted Lanternfly is expanding.
State officials say people have been spotting the Spotted Lanternfly, indigenous to China, India and Vietnam, outside of the 11 New Castle County zip codes originally quarantined back in March.
The quarantine is now being expanded to include all areas of the county north of the C & D Canal.
The insect can be detrimental to forests and agriculture.
Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) Plant Industries Administrator Jessica Inhof says it’s important for people to kill the bug whenever they see it.
“The more people are aware of Spotted Lanternfly and crushing it—it is an interesting and attractive insect, but we need to kill it,” she said. “So all of the bugs that can be destroyed helps.”
Inhof adds the Spotted Lanternfly is adept at hitchhiking. Businesses in quarantined areas are required to get permits to move regulated items that could carry the insect. Residents in the areas are asked to download and print an inspection checklist to help check any item stored that could house the fly.
Regulated items include anything kept outside: a car, firewood, playground equipment, landscaping materials, etc.
“It has been working well,” said Inhof. “We have businesses getting permits every week. That was to be expected. We do expect a dramatic spike in those number of businesses this week after the release of the expansion.”
The state can levy civil penalties to people who intentionally move the fly out of quarantined areas. Inhof says that has not happened yet.
Spotted Lanternfly females are currently pregnant and are expected to lay egg masses of 30 to 50 eggs by the end of the month. The eggs are then scheduled to hatch next spring.
According to state press release, DDA has “treated” almost 20,000 trees in the quarantined area.
