The lanternfly, known scientifically as Lycorma delicatula, is an insect that requires immediate attention if spotted. Originally from China, it made its way to the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014. Since then, it has rapidly spread and caused significant agricultural and ecological damage.
These invasive pests, with their voracious appetite, feed on the sap of many plants and trees, causing weakened structures and the formation of sooty mold due to the sticky honeydew they excrete. Unfortunately, this mold further harms the plants by inhibiting photosynthesis, hindering their ability to thrive.
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