2 July 2024
In past due June pals of mine questioned why they hadn’t noticed any noticed lanternflies this yr. Are the invasive insects long past? Certainly not! The nymphs are provide however they may be able to’t fly but. Remaining weekend I noticed the primary caution that we’re within the remaining days — every week, possibly two — ahead of the noticed lanternfly invasion starts. I noticed a pink nymph.
Noticed lanternflies overwinter as egg plenty that started hatching in Pittsburgh this yr in early June. The first nymphs gave the impression round 3 June however had been onerous to note as a result of they’re so tiny and darkish. From first instar to winged grownup takes about 6-8 weeks. (This statistic is my absolute best wager. It’s onerous to seek out the knowledge on-line although I’m certain scientists have timed it.)
The primary 3 instars are black whilst the fourth and ultimate one is pink, an early caution of items to return. Right here’s a pink nymph morphing right into a winged grownup.
Be expecting to look the primary flying grownup by way of mid-July. Let me know whilst you see your first one.
The invasion will ramp up slowly after which … After which we watch for iciness to kill them.
p.s. It’s been 10 years since noticed lanternflies had been first recorded in PA. Now the insects are in each and every county in southern PA and the entire japanese border counties. Greene County, the remaining holdout in southwestern PA, crossed the brink this yr. Learn extra about their 10-year siege on this article from WESA.
