Maintaining Your Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Compliance

The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive planthopper, native to parts of Asia, that was initially found in the United States in 2014 in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Since this initial discovery, SLF has spread throughout much of Pennsylvania and into surrounding states, with reproducing populations now in 45 Pennsylvania counties. Check out the Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide for a comprehensive overview of SLF biology, regulations, management, and more.

SLF is not just a concern to agricultural and horticultural professionals, this invasive insect poses significant quality-of-life frustrations for all residents. This insect is a notorious hitchhiker; so, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) has put quarantine order regulations in place to prevent accidental human-assisted spread of SLF. The quarantine order directs citizens to follow guidelines to prevent the movement of the pest in any life stage: egg, nymph, and adult.

All residents and businesses must comply with the regulations, and PDA has the authority to fine anyone who willfully violates the quarantine order. To protect neighbors and communities, the agriculture industry and Pennsylvania's business vitality, everyone needs to be aware of best practices to avoid spreading SLF and to utilize these practices in their daily activities.

Read on to discover how to avoid spreading SLF and how to maintain compliance with quarantine regulations for your business.

1. Learn about what SLF looks like in every stage of its development throughout the year.

images:

Left: The young nymphs are black with white spots and can be present from April through July. Photo Credit: E. Swackhamer, Penn State Extension
Right: The older nymphs are black and red with white spots and can be present from July through September. Photo Credit: E. Swackhamer, Penn State Extension

Left: The adults (shown at rest) can be present from July until late December. The adults are 1 inch long.
Right: Adults will show their red underwings when disturbed.

Left: The egg masses can be on trees, rocks, or any other solid object and can be present from September through June.
Right: The empty remains of the eggs that have hatched can be found September through June. Photo Credit: E. Swackhamer, Penn State Extension
Visit "Spotted Lanternfly, What to Look For" to see additional pictures of SLF

2. Learn about which counties are included in the quarantine order.

The quarantine zone will continue to change as new discoveries are made. As people move within and out of the quarantined area, care must be taken to ensure that SLF in any life stage is not being transported to new areas. To view the most recent quarantine map and to learn which Pennsylvania counties and areas are under quarantine for SLF, visit the Penn State Extension SLF website.

Whether inside or outside the quarantine, everyone is encouraged to report sightings of SLF online or by calling 1-888-4BAD-FLY (1-888-422-3359). The PDA may intensively manage newly found spotted lanternfly populations in critical areas determined to be of high risk for crop damage or potential for transport to new areas.

3. All businesses are required to have an SLF permit and some also need a compliance agreement.

An SLF permit is required for all businesses, agencies and organizations, agricultural and non-agricultural, working within the quarantine, which move regulated articles, such as products, vehicles and other conveyances, within or from the quarantine. A permit is also required to move regulated articles into any part of PA from areas with established SLF populations. This permit can provide ease-of-mind to other business and states that a company has done it’s due diligence to prevent the unintentional spread of SLF.

The permit process requires managers or supervisors to complete the permit course to demonstrate understanding and a working knowledge of the pest and quarantine requirements. After successful completion of the permit course, that person is considered a trainer and will be responsible for training all employees on what to look for and how to safeguard against moving SLF.

Information for online and in-person permit training is available on Penn State Extension's SLF page. Direct questions to slfpermit@pa.gov or 717-787-5674. Businesses can also check the PDA website to learn if they need a permit.

Businesses shipping nursery stock to other states, producing mulch or processing firewood for distribution outside their quarantined county are also required to have a Spotted Lanternfly Compliance Agreement. If this description fits your business, please contact your local Bureau of Plant Industry Regional Supervisor.

4. Learn about other states which have SLF Populations and quarantine orders.

Multiple states have SLF populations and quarantines. Check with each state's Department of Agriculture for information and to ensure you are following SLF quarantine regulations in those states. State officials have collaborated to create reciprocal permit agreements, so businesses do not need to take multiple permit courses.

5. Inspect all personal items to be moved from within the quarantined area.

SLF can hitchhike on just about any object at any life stage. Adult SLF can hold onto moving vehicles, and egg masses can be hidden on many surfaces. To ensure SLF are not being transported, check all vehicles, trailers, campers, and other equipment thoroughly, including around front and rear windshield wipers, grills, roof racks, wheel wells and truck beds.

All items intended to be moved, whether within or outside the quarantine, must also be inspected. This includes, but is not limited to, plant material, woody debris, firewood, lawn furniture, construction supplies, tools, and other equipment. To aid in minimizing the possibility of movement, citizens are encouraged to avoid parking vehicles or storing items under trees or near tree lines. SLF often lay egg masses on objects near the trees they are feeding on.

Use the resident compliance checklist when moving personal property. The completed checklist shows that you have inspected the item, removed, and destroyed any living life stages of SLF, and that you are in compliance. You can print the checklist, fill it out, sign it and take it with you when you move the item(s). The checklist is available for download.

For more information on the spotted lanternfly, visit the PDA SLF website and the Penn State Extension website