{"id":25800,"date":"2021-09-03T09:05:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-03T13:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=25800"},"modified":"2021-09-03T00:27:05","modified_gmt":"2021-09-03T04:27:05","slug":"this-labor-day-weekend-make-sure-you-arent-harbouring-these-pesky-hitchhikers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/mda-blog\/2021\/09\/03\/this-labor-day-weekend-make-sure-you-arent-harbouring-these-pesky-hitchhikers\/","title":{"rendered":"This Labor Day Weekend Make Sure You Aren\u2019t Harbouring These Pesky Hitchhikers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/playlist\/5eCrjkwqV0DZyMc6jH1N0K?si=20a34638dce54e98\"><em><strong>DOWNLOAD <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/playlist\/5eCrjkwqV0DZyMc6jH1N0K?si=20a34638dce54e98\">?<\/a>: MDA&#8217;s spotted lanternfly-inspired Spotify playlist for your Labor Day Weekend road trip!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It\u2019s here! The final vacation before summer fades into fall and school drop-offs, endless sports practices, and afterschool activities pick back up. For many, Labor Day Weekend means trying to soak up the last few summer days and rays with trips to the beach, the lake, or the mountains.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As you pack the car, van, camper, or trailer for your weekend getaways, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) asks that you check your vehicles for the spotted lanternfly. The spotted lanternfly is an invasive pest that has the potential to devastate over 70+ agricultural products.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Labor Day Weekend Checklist:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Beach towels &#8211; \u2705<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sunscreen &#8211; \u2705<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bug Spray &#8211; \u2705<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sunglasses &#8211; \u2705<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Blankets\/Sleeping Bags &#8211; \u2705<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">EZ Pass &#8211; \u2705<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Checking the car for spotted lanternfly &#8211; \u2705<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>What to look for?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Currently the spotted lanternfly is in its adult life stage. At maturity they are 1 inch in length and appear with grey-brown spotted front wings and brilliant red and black hind wings. Their hindwings are most noticeable when they are inflight or feel threatened. Check out the photos below to see what to be on the lookout for!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-1.png\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"25802\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/mda-blog\/2021\/09\/03\/this-labor-day-weekend-make-sure-you-arent-harbouring-these-pesky-hitchhikers\/attachment\/mda-spotted-lanternfly-adult-blog-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-1.png?fit=1024%2C512&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1024,512\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"MDA Spotted Lanternfly Adult Blog (1)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-1.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-25802 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-1.png?resize=760%2C380\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-1.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-1.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-1.png?resize=768%2C384&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-4.png\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"25805\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/mda-blog\/2021\/09\/03\/this-labor-day-weekend-make-sure-you-arent-harbouring-these-pesky-hitchhikers\/attachment\/mda-spotted-lanternfly-adult-blog-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-4.png?fit=1024%2C512&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1024,512\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"MDA Spotted Lanternfly Adult Blog (4)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-4.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-25805 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-4.png?resize=760%2C380\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-4.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-4.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-4.png?resize=768%2C384&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-3.png\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"25804\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/mda-blog\/2021\/09\/03\/this-labor-day-weekend-make-sure-you-arent-harbouring-these-pesky-hitchhikers\/attachment\/mda-spotted-lanternfly-adult-blog-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-3.png?fit=1024%2C512&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1024,512\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"MDA Spotted Lanternfly Adult Blog (3)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-3.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-25804 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-3.png?resize=760%2C380\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-3.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-3.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-3.png?resize=768%2C384&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-2.png\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"25803\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/mda-blog\/2021\/09\/03\/this-labor-day-weekend-make-sure-you-arent-harbouring-these-pesky-hitchhikers\/attachment\/mda-spotted-lanternfly-adult-blog-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-2.png?fit=1024%2C512&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1024,512\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"MDA Spotted Lanternfly Adult Blog (2)\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Adult spotted lanternfly with front and hind wings open.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-2.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-25803 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-2.png?resize=760%2C380\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-2.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-2.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/09\/MDA-Spotted-Lanternfly-Adult-Blog-2.png?resize=768%2C384&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Spotted lanternfly are known planthoppers and excellent hitchhikers. Latching on to and launching off of anything they can, it is especially crucial to inspect your cars and belongings for these bad bugs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What do I do if I find a spotted lanternfly?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Snap a photo and then squash it! Spotted lanternfly do not bite or sting, so go ahead and smash away.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Report your sightings to the Maryland Department of Agriculture via this <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/survey123.arcgis.com\/share\/26f9dbec58674313b1bec03ddb8b5f0e\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">online survey<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Your submissions will help us track spotted lanternfly movement around the state.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Where are they now?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These pests originally appeared in Berks County, Pennsylvania in 2014 and have increasingly spread to 34 counties throughout the Keystone State and several more states on the East Coast.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In Maryland, populations of spotted lanternfly can be found primarily in Cecil and Harford Counties. These two counties currently have business and residential quarantine restrictions in place. Businesses that operate or move material within Cecil or Harford County must obtain a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/slf-permit-training-md\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">business permit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Residential permits are not required, but Marylanders in these counties are encouraged to survey their properties and inspect their vehicles for spotted lanternfly before moving any materials like <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">cut wood, pallets, trailers, stone, boxes, etc. Use MDA\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mda.maryland.gov\/plants-pests\/Documents\/SLFHomeownerChecklistMDA.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Spotted Lanternfly Checklist<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to ensure your items are pest-free before you go.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Outside these two spotted lanternfly hot spots, these insects have been found in the following Maryland counties: Frederick, Kent, Carroll, Baltimore, Howard, and Anne Arundel. MDA survey data has shown that spotted lanternfly populations have spread along major highways and travel routes, making it especially critical that vehicles are checked for the pest before leaving home.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Why are spotted lanternfly such a threat?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Though the preferred host of the spotted lanternfly is the tree of heaven, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ailanthus altissima<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, they also feed on valuable agricultural crops like grapes, hops, peaches, apples, blueberries, cucumbers, oaks, black walnuts, certain maples, eastern white pines, birches, willows, and many more. The spotted lanternfly feeds on sap from the roots of these plants and trees, causing damage to them in the process and leaving them more susceptible to disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The spotted lanternfly also excretes honeydew, a sticky, sugary substance that enables the growth of black sooty mold that is harmful to plants and trees. Spotted lanternfly honeydew can also be quite a nuisance on outdoor furniture and other equipment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Spotted lanternfly has the potential to impact wineries, breweries, fresh produce, lumber, nurseries, forestry, and other industries! According to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/spotted-lanternfly\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">PennState Extension<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, if not contained, the spotted lanternfly could cost Pennsylvania\u2019s economy at least $324 million annually.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Labor Day Weekend<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">With your help, we can slow the spread of this invasive pest and protect Maryland\u2019s agriculture industry and our hardworking Maryland producers. Make sure you aren\u2019t giving any unwanted hitchhikers a lift this holiday weekend and inspect your vehicle and items for spotted lanternfly when going to and from your destination.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We\u2019ve all got our eye on you spotted lanternfly!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DOWNLOAD ?: MDA&#8217;s spotted lanternfly-inspired Spotify playlist for your Labor Day Weekend road trip! It\u2019s here! The final vacation before summer fades into fall and school drop-offs, endless sports practices, and afterschool activities pick back up. For many, Labor Day Weekend means trying to soak up the last few summer days and rays with trips<a href=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/mda-blog\/2021\/09\/03\/this-labor-day-weekend-make-sure-you-arent-harbouring-these-pesky-hitchhikers\/\">&nbsp;&nbsp;Read the Rest&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":168,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[226],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25800","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mda-blog"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25800","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25800"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25800\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25818,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25800\/revisions\/25818"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25800"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25800"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25800"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}