Spotted Lanternfly: Can We Stop the Spread?

Malagari to co-host spotted lanternfly information event

Rep. Steve Malagari invites community members to an informational event on the spotted lanternfly on July 22.

“Spotted Lanternfly: Can We Stop the Spread?” will be held from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. July 22 at Dock Mennonite Academy EC – Grade 8 Campus, 420 Godshall Road, Souderton PA 18964. Malagari will host the event along with Rep. Liz Hanbidge and Sen. Maria Collett.

The event is open to the public. Anyone with a business that could potentially be affected by the spotted lanternfly is especially encouraged to attend.

Experts, including Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and representatives of Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences will offer an update on the state’s response to the spotted lanternfly and discuss how to prevent the spread of the invasive pest.

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect that can threaten Pennsylvania’s agricultural crops such as grapes, hops and hardwoods, and is affecting quality of life for residents in heavily infested areas, according to the Department of Agriculture. Adult spotted lanternflies can be seen starting in July.

Montgomery County is part of a quarantine area designed to stop the movement of the spotted lanternfly to new areas and slow its spread within the quarantine.