Spotted Lanternfly Information from the NJ Department of Agriculture

TRENTON — Residents of New Jersey's western border counties are asked to be on the lookout for egg masses of the Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive insect that can be a danger to agricultural interests as well as homeowners. 

“As the temperatures begin to warm, and more people are outside on their own properties we are asking them to look for and destroy Spotted Lanternfly egg masses,” Agriculture Secretary Douglas S. Fisher said. “The more of these egg masses that can be eliminated now, means there will be less of this nuisance pest later in the spring and during the summer.”

The eggs normally hatch toward the end of April and in early May. 

The commissioner and Plant Industry Division Director Joseph Zoltowski are featured in a department video which provides information and instructions on how to find and destroy the egg masses. The video is available at https://bit.ly/3dn8HQu.

The Spotted Lanternfly is native to Asia, but arrived in the U.S. in Berks County, Pa., on wooden pallets, part of a shipment in 2014. The species has been advancing ever since, causing Pennsylvania to have 34 counties currently under quarantine.

The New Jersey counties currently under quarantine are Warren, Hunterdon, Mercer, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Somerset and is expected to expand.

The quarantine applies to movement of wooden products, including debris, bark, or yard waste; firewood of any species; and landscaping, remodeling or construction waste. Also included is movement of outdoor household articles as recreational vehicles, lawn tractors and mowers, grills, outdoor furniture covers, tarps, mobile homes and even tile, stone, deck boards and mobile fire pits. Also included are vehicles, trucks and any associated equipment  not stored indoors.

For more information and resources relating to combating the Spotted Lanternfly, visit the Town's website by clicking here.