Monday, September 9, 2024

A Beautiful Insect, A Terrifying Insect!


This is a dead Spotted Lanternfly on the driveway.  I had just stepped on it to kill it, which is what the stories in the newspaper say we should all do.  "If you see these insects, it is important to kill them, to prevent their spread."  “Spotted Lanternfly: The Next Worst Thing” is what it says on the Cornell Cooprative Extension Service Website.  And then it says "If left unchecked, the Spotted Lanternfly can potentially wreak havoc on the New York’s grape, orchard and logging industries.  It causes harm by sucking sap from plant stems and leaves. This can reduce photosynthesis, weaken the plant and eventually contribute to the plant’s death.  So these insects are a terrifying threat to a number of important agricultural industries!  So, no, I don't feel badly for stepping on this beautiful insect.


 

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amazing! Beautiful but deadly. Do they nest nearby?
Thanks Ken

Anonymous said...

They are beautiful but are wrecking havoc everywhere. They jump so quickly they are hard to kill. Great photo. Glad you got rid of one.
Joan

Anonymous said...

It’s a good thing that they are easy to spot so people can kill them. Betsey