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thescheit t1_iu4pi0k wrote

Why is this such a big scare in PA? The spotted lantern fly prefers the Tree of Heaven which itself is an incredibly invasive species. Therefore the spotted lantern fly is a good thing due to its preference to kill this invasive plant.

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Odd-Neighborhood5119 t1_iu4s34z wrote

They don't just hang on trees of heaven. They eat pretty damn everything they come up on. I have noticed that the local birds have acquired a taste for them.so that helps

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thescheit t1_iu4uqix wrote

>They eat pretty damn everything they come up on.

This is not an accurate statement but I understand how far can make people act and think irrationally.

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Odd-Neighborhood5119 t1_iu4y3wh wrote

They are known to eat 70 host plants. They destroyed my garden this year. So no, I am not thinking irrationally. Check your facts

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ScrappleOnToast t1_iu4w973 wrote

From the PADept of Agriculture: The spotted lanternfly causes serious damage including oozing sap, wilting, leaf curling and dieback in trees, vines, crops and many other types of plants. In addition to plant damage, when spotted lanternflies feed, they excrete a sugary substance, called honeydew, that encourages the growth of black sooty mold.

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Redlar t1_iu5cyka wrote

They destroyed my Hops two years running. It's not just the Tree of Heaven they attack, there are many plants they attack.

Perhaps you should read up on them?

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appleslady13 t1_iu5c3k1 wrote

Bud, I hope you don't say that in front of someone who grows grapes. SLF destroys grapes.

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superbelt t1_iu5emh7 wrote

I've seen homes with hundreds, or thousands of lantern flys over the front of the house. You couldn't open the front door without dozens getting inside.

If they don't find a tree of heaven, they will destroy crops, native trees, grapes and other vine plants.

I've seen large trees where you can't see any bark because of how many lantern flys are covering it.

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