Destructive insect found near vineyards in upstate New York. What to do if you find one

The news was expected but dreaded: Spotted lanternflies, highly destructive inch-long insects that are native to Asia, have been spotted in the grape-growing region of the Finger Lakes.

Christopher A. Logue, director, Division of Plant Industry, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, shared the news in a letter that appeared in the industry newsletter published by the New York Wine and Grape Foundation. The D&C has reached out to the department for more information.

Late last week, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets received reports of the spotted lanternfly in Romulus, which is in the heart of the Finger Lakes wine region between Seneca and Cayuga lakes. The department's inspectors visited the area and confirmed the presence of the insects, the letter said.

This is of great concern to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the letter said, because the insect feeds on plants and crops that are critical to New York’s agricultural economy, such as grapevines, apple trees and hops.

The spotted lanternfly was first detected in New York on Staten Island in 2020. Since then, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has been working to slow the spread of the invasive insect. It has since been reported in all New York City boroughs, Long Island and, last year, in Monroe County.

The Romulus sighting marked the first detection near commercial vineyards in the Finger Lakes. The department is working with Cornell to conduct a thorough survey of the vineyards in the area to better understand the extent of the established population of spotted lanternfly, the letter said.

What to do if you find a spotted lanternfly

Newly hatched spotted lanternflies, or nymphs, are black with white spots. Adults appear in summer; they are gray with hues of pink or lavender, with black dots. When wings are open, one pair is red with black spots and black with white stripes, while the other wings are brownish-gray with black spots.

If you find a spotted lanternfly, follow these steps:

• Take a photo.
• Collect a sample and place it in a freezer or in a jar with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.
• Report your findings at this link: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/a08d60f6522043f5bd04229e00acdd63.
• Kill any additional insects by stepping on it or crushing it.

Spotted lanternflies are not a danger to humans or other animals. They do not bite and they do not carry disease.

Food and drink reporter Tracy Schuhmacher regularly writes about the Finger Lakes wine industry. She holds a Level 3 Award in Wines from the Wine and Spirits and Education Trust (WSET). Send news to TracyS@gannett.com.