2 July 2024
In late June mates of mine questioned why they hadn’t seen any noticed lanternflies this 12 months. Are the invasive bugs gone? In no way! The nymphs are current however they’ll’t fly but. Final weekend I noticed the primary warning that we’re within the final days — per week, perhaps two — earlier than the noticed lanternfly invasion begins. I noticed a purple nymph.
Noticed lanternflies overwinter as egg lots that started hatching in Pittsburgh this 12 months in early June. The first nymphs appeared round 3 June however have been exhausting 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 finest guess. It’s exhausting to search out the information on-line although I’m certain scientists have timed it.)
The primary three instars are black whereas the fourth and ultimate one is purple, an early warning of issues to come back. Right here’s a purple nymph morphing right into a winged grownup.
Count on to see the primary flying grownup by mid-July. Let me know while you see your first one.
The invasion will ramp up slowly after which … After which we watch for winter to kill them.
p.s. It’s been 10 years since noticed lanternflies have been first recorded in PA. Now the bugs are in each county in southern PA and the entire japanese border counties. Greene County, the final holdout in southwestern PA, crossed the edge this 12 months. Learn extra about their 10-year siege on this article from WESA.
