Washington officials: If you see this bug, report it immediately

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Entomologists with the state Department of Agriculture are asking the public to keep an eye out for the spotted lanternfly — a destructive pest indigenous to parts of China, India and Vietnam — after a possible sighting in Central Washington earlier this month.

The agency received a photo of what looks like a spotted lanternfly from someone in the Omak area of Okanogan County. The witness also reported seeing as many as five live specimens. Department officials couldn’t find any of the bugs during a search of the area, but did notice the area could be inhabitable.

“Our search revealed abundant host material in the area,” Sven Spichiger, an entomologist with the department, said in a blog post. “For the next several weeks, we ask people to look for both adults and egg masses. If they think they found any suspected life stage of the pest, they should report it.”

Spotted lanternflies primarily attack grapes, but have been sighted on other crops such as hops, apples and peaches. The first U.S. sighting was in Pennsylvania in 2014. Since then, they have popped up in several East Coast states and other areas throughout the country.

https://www.seattlepi.com/local/seattlenews/article/spotted-lanternfly-could-be-in-washington-state-16576261.php

[Quakerfriend]

1. They invaded here in SE Pa last year

But, only a few this year- for unknown reasons.
We had only 1/10th the number this year.
They love our grapevines 😫 but, have stayed away from the peaches.
The good news is that they are devoured by preying mantis and many bird species.

[drexelkathy]

2. They are awful!

They’re all over some parts of NJ and PA.