Due to the Spotted Lanternfly's potential for causing significant damage to agricultural crops, forests, and the urban tree canopy, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) expanded its quarantine to now include more Maryland counties, including Prince Georges County. What does this quarantine mean for you? Because the spotted lanternfly can lay eggs on, fly, hop, or drop onto a vehicle, it can spread very quickly; MDA's quarantine means that any article, material, or object that could harbor the pest at any life stage, cannot be moved without taking precautions to prevent its spread. Examples of regulated articles include: landscaping materials, remodeling, or construction waste, packing material (e.g. wood crates, boxes), plants and plant parts, including logs, stumps, firewood, yard waste, tree parts, outdoor household items like lawn mowers, chairs, grills, tarps, stone, deck boards/material, trucks, RVs, or other vehicles not stored inside.

An important aspect of controlling the invasive spotted lanternfly is knowing how to identify this insect during all stages (instars) of its life. The female lays egg masses comprised of 30-50 eggs that are gray-colored. Egg masses may be deposited anywhere, especially on flat surfaces, and can be found from Late September to early May. After the eggs hatch, the first three instar nymphs (juveniles) begin life about the size of a small tick, are mostly black and covered with white spots including on its legs. The black-colored nymphs grow and develop, as they reach the fourth instar, they change color to red and black with white spots. The adult, which can be found in July, has tan wings with black spots and darker wing tips. The inner wings have a red strip close to the thorax (body). MDA has a webpage dedicated to invasive insect at mda.maryland.gov/spottedlanternfly.

Inspection for SLF should include all items parked or stored outside. If a resident of Maryland finds any life stage of the SLF on their property, they are asked to report the observation to the Maryland Department of Agriculture online at: mda.maryland.gov/spottedlanternfly.

Homeowners should attempt to eliminate SLF from their property to reduce its spread. If found, residents are encouraged to remove egg masses and nymphs by scraping them into a container with rubbing alcohol before disposal or squashing the adult insect. Sticky bands wrapped around tree trunks, or traps, are effective for monitoring and provide some control for SLF; they can be placed on the Tree of Heaven, which is the insects’ preferred host.

How does the quarantine affect the movement of regulated articles?

• All regulated articles, including vehicles and conveyances, shall be inspected, and all life stages of the SLF, if found, shall be removed, and destroyed prior to movement within or out of the quarantine area. SLF and its eggs should be either crushed or placed in a closed container with alcohol. Articles other than vehicles must be inspected, packaged, and safeguarded from infestation prior to shipping (such as in a closed container, shrink wrapped, tightly tarped, or containerized).
• Other regulations pertaining to the movement of articles can be found at: https://mda.maryland.gov/spottedlanternfly.

How can I move a regulated article?

For the General Public: Complete a residential compliance checklist indicating the article(s) and vehicle(s) have been inspected for the presence of spotted lanternflies. Be sure to look for the appropriate life stage(s) at the time of year the articles are inspected prior to movement. A checklist is available at: https://mda.maryland.gov/spottedlanternfly.

For Business, Municipalities, and Government Agencies: Any person conducting business requiring the movement of any regulated item within or from the quarantine area must have a permit, which includes inspection and recordkeeping requirements.

How do I obtain a permit for a Business, Municipality, or Government Agency?

• To obtain a permit a designated individual from an organization must attend an online training session and pass the online test to demonstrate working knowledge and understanding of the pest and quarantine requirements. Training co-workers about the inspection process of vehicles and materials and identification of the SLF life stages must be completed.
• Training is available on the Penn State Extension website
• A permit will be issued by the Maryland Department of Agriculture upon completion of required training and passing the exam. The permit will be valid for one year.
• Recordkeeping of staff training, inspection of vehicles, incoming and outgoing shipments of regulated articles, and control measures taken (such as vehicle washes, destruction of living life stages of SLF) must be maintained for a minimum of two years and may be requested from the department.

Find more information from the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Penn State, United States Department of Agriculture, or Cornell University.

From the City's Tree and Landscape Board