Sen. Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., is urging that an additional $22 million be allocated to eradicating the spotted lanternfly, an invasive species of insect that has the potential to cause millions of dollars in damage to the East Coast economy.
Native to the Asian continent, the spotted lanternfly is a planthopper that feeds on more than 70 different plant species. It lays its eggs on outdoor surfaces such as tree bark, outdoor gear, and vehicles in the fall, and is thought to have arrived in the United States via a shipment of rocks from China. The bug was first spotted in the US in 2014 in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and has since spread to 11 states, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
But it’s not the presence of the spotted lanternfly alone that has farmers and economists on edge — it’s the millions of dollars in crops, tourism and jobs this pest threatens, according to researchers in Pennsylvania.
Penn State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences reported that Pennsylvania alone will lose at least $324 million annually and about 2,800 jobs if the spotted lanternfly is not properly contained. The pest feeds on the sap of “fruit, ornamental and woody plants” vital to the country’s economy such as timber and wine trade. The spotted lanternfly also excretes a sugary waste that serves as a breeding ground for mold and fungus.
“Our findings show that the vigorous response by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the state of Penn and industry to limit the spread of the spotted lanternfly is clearly warranted — our economies depend on it,” said Jayson Harper, professor of agriculture Economics and Director of the Fruit Research and Extension Center at Penn State University.
Schumer claims that the spotted lanternfly poses an equally big threat to New York’s economy.
“For years I’ve warned about the pest, but now we’re calling for action because parts of New York state are now infested with the bug, which is devastating trees, vineyards and crops,” Schumer said at a press conference in Central Park, a site that is currently infested with the spotted lanternfly. “This is a multi-million dollar threat to New York’s economy – both tourism and agriculture are now at risk if the spotted lanternfly is left unchecked.”
According to The Hill, New York’s wine and grape industry has an economic impact of $6.65 billion a year, creates over 71,000 jobs and generates five million tourist visits a year. In addition, the New York apple industry has a combined economic output of $1.3 billion, created 8,000 jobs, and provides nearly $4 million in gross domestic product to the state’s economy.
The Department of Agriculture has already invested $200 million to eradicate the pest, NBC New York reports, but Schumer has pushed for an additional $22 million in the budget presented Sunday to help eradicate efforts. The state has quarantined shipments between states and conducted trapping investigations to track the spotted lanternfly population.
The general public has been alerted to the beetle’s presence, and the USDA has issued alerts and guidance on how to properly identify and kill these sighted insects. The USDA urges everyone to report spotted lanternfly sightings by taking photos and sending information to your state Department of Agriculture or to the appropriate links on its website.
Comments are closed.