Squish It and Report It: How to Spot Spotted Lanternfly in Michigan
Michigan officials are urging residents to squish and report an invasive species that was initially discovered in the state last year, as the insect is expected to reappear. This species, known as the spotted lanternfly, feeds on the sap of various plants and crops.
Its presence in the state was officially confirmed on August 11, 2022, by Gary McDowell, the Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. A small population of these insects was found in Pontiac, located in Oakland County. At that time, McDowell expressed concern about the potential negative impact on Michigan’s grape industry. In addition to grapes, the spotted lanternfly poses a threat to over 70 different types of crops and plants. This includes apples, hops, and hardwood trees, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). While native to Asia, this pest arrived in Pennsylvania in 2014.
More Spotted Lanternfly Damage
The damage caused by the spotted lanternfly occurs as it feeds on plant sap, secreting a sugary substance called honeydew. This honeydew accumulates on the ground and nearby vegetation. This leads to the development of a black mold that not only discolors but also kills plants. Moreover, the honeydew attracts other insects, including hornets and ants, which can further complicate the process of harvesting crops.
Although spotted lanternflies have limited flight abilities, they can easily hitch rides on items like firewood, tires, campers, and vehicles. They also lay eggs extensively in various locations, as highlighted by the DNR. These eggs resemble patches of old chewing gum.
What to do if you see a spotted lanternfly
If you come across a spotted lanternfly egg mass, nymph, or adult, the DNR requests that you take photographs and note the date, time, and location of the sighting. The next step is to report the sighting to the Michigan Invasive Species Information Network through their website or mobile app. Furthermore, you can effectively control the infestation by scraping egg masses into a plastic bag containing hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol to eliminate them and limit their spread within Michigan.
The DNR provided the following recommendations to stop the spread:
- Inspect your vehicle: Prior to leaving a parking area, thoroughly examine your car for spotted lanternfly eggs or insects. Check areas like doors, sides, bumpers, wheel wells, grills, and roofs. If spotted, eliminate any eggs or insects by squishing them.
- Close windows when parking: Spotted lanternflies and their nymphs might enter vehicles without detection.
- Eliminate host trees: These insects favor the ailanthus tree, commonly referred to as the “tree of heaven.” To prevent drawing spotted lanternflies, consider removing such trees from your property.
To learn more about spotting or reporting spotted lanternflies, check out the Michigan DNR’s website here.
Michigan Endangered Species List Is Now Up To 407 Species
Michigan’s Threatened and Endangered list got its seventh update in nearly 50 years. Now, the list shows a total of 407 species are threatened and endangered. Experts from universities, the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, other conservation organizations, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommended changes to the list based on recent data.
36 species were removed from the list, including trumpeter swans. However, 58 species were added to the list. “When people come together to collaborate on conservation, we can recover rare species,” said DNR endangered species specialist Jennifer Kleitch. “For instance, trumpeter swans were just removed from Michigan’s threatened and endangered species list. Their populations have grown as a result of significant conservation efforts by many partners over decades.”
What animals were removed from the threatened and endangered list?
Although the trumpeter swan has been removed from Michigan’s list of threatened and endangered species, it is still federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Three bat species, including the little brown bat, northern long-eared bat, and tri-colored bat, have been listed as threatened due to significant population declines in Michigan resulting from white-nose syndrome. Rusty-patched bumblebees and American bumblebees were added to the endangered species list because, like many pollinator species, their populations are seeing large declines.
“Many threatened and endangered species rely on high-quality natural areas that benefit all of us by providing clean water, clean air and places for us to enjoy nature. When species are struggling, it can indicate declines in the functioning of those natural areas, which in turn can impact our quality of life,” Kleitch said.
“The addition is sad yet a great move.”
The DNR took to When one of your tweets of the day is about how three bat species were added to Michigan's endangered/threatened list... pic.twitter.com/dKaqrg8ELF
— Michigan Department of Natural Resources (@MichiganDNR) May 2, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter to share more information about the list and one user shared their thoughts. “The addition is sad yet a great move. The only thing worse than being an endangered species is being an extinct species due to the fact of not being helped as much as a protected listing can,” said a The addition is sad yet a great move. The only thing worse than being an endangered species is being an extinct species due to the fact of not being helped as much as a protected listing can.
— KristinShoots (@KristinNoelle) May 2, 2023">comment under their post.
See a full list of the state’s threatened and endangered plants and animals on the Michigan Natural Features Inventory website.
Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it.
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