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Spotted Lanternfly

They’re back!

Spotted Lanternfly nymphs have hatched and are in the neighborhood. It’s easier to catch and destroy them at this stage than when they have matured, so it’s time to get to work. The early nymphs that are about 1/8 inch long are out now and look a little bit like baby lady bugs, but are black with white spots: Early SLF Nymph. Late-stage nymphs (look for them in the summer) are about ½ inch long and are red with black and white markings: Later Stage SLF Nymph .

The nymphs tend to climb up trees from the bottom and there are a few ways to trap them, as shown in this video:

The Penn State Extension has a lot of information on building alternative traps. Another useful tool is a fly swatter. The official Lower Gwynedd Township Spotted Lanternfly swatters are being reordered because we have distributed all of our inventory, but you can use any kind of swatter until we can distribute them again.

Spotted Lanternfly Swatters

The Lower Gwynedd Township Environmental Advisory Council has purchased Spotted Lanternfly swatters to distribute to residents. Since Pike Fest, where we were planning to distribute them, has been cancelled for 2020 we are looking for other ways to get them in the hands of our residents to help in the battle against these invasive bugs. Please fill out this form: https://bit.ly/LGTEAC-SLFswatter to request a swatter or two (limit 2 per household) and someone from the EAC will be in touch regarding getting them in your hands.

Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) Information

Below are numerous links to articles, websites, and guides pertaining to the Spotted Lanternfly, that the Lower Gwynedd Township's Environmental Advisory Council has compiled. These links are meant to provide helpful and factual information to the residents of Lower Gwynedd Township.

The EAC has taken a proactive approach to combat the SLF infestation. EAC members and volunteers have been monitoring select areas of township trails, parks, and individual trees to identify SLF emergence from egg masses (too high up in the trees to scrape) and arrival to capture early nymphs using sticky tape. In addition to sticky tape, it is imperative that protective covering (e.g., chicken wire with fine screening or window mesh on top, window screening tacked to the trees with push pins) be placed above the sticky tape in order to avoid unwanted capture of small mammals, birds, beneficial insects and pollinators.

EAC members will place laminated signage in areas being monitored. Please download the signage via the link below:

Spotted Lanternfly Signs for Township Trees

Instructional Video for Wrapping Trees

Everything You Need to Know about Spotted Lanternfly and Management