West Side Rag
  • TOP NEWS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • CONTACT
West Side Rag
No Result
View All Result

Get WSR FREE in your inbox

Search the site

No Result
View All Result

Get WSR FREE in your inbox

AVAILABLE NOW!


HERE

Spotted Lanternflies: Beautiful, But Squish Them We Must

September 21, 2022 | 4:37 PM - Updated on September 22, 2022 | 7:45 AM
in NEWS
21
Spotted Lanternfly. Photograph by Dan Tanner.

By Lisa Kava

I was sitting outside with a friend at sweetgreen, on Amsterdam at 75th Street, when suddenly, a large insect with a red body and black-and-white spotted wings, landed on the sidewalk next to us.

“Whoa,” said my friend. “Eeek!” screamed a little boy at the next table. The little boy quickly, and with determination, stepped on the insect and squished it.  I — an animal lover and vegetarian — applauded him for a job well done.

When did killing a bug become cause for accolades?

The smooshed insect is known as a spotted lanternfly, and is rapidly multiplying in New York City. Spotted lanternflies are invasive plant hoppers and pose a significant threat to our biodiversity and agriculture, the New York City Parks Department, the Central Park Conservancy, The New York Times, and government officials warn.

“Spotted lanternflies are a danger to New York’s crops and wineries ,” a representative from the Parks Department told WSR. “They love grapes, apples and peaches. When they multiply on tree trunks they can entirely cover the tree. We have concerns about the trees in our parks.”

While spotted lanternflies do not pose any danger to people or pets, all interested parties urge New Yorkers to help reduce the spread of these insects by killing them. “If you see a lanternfly, please squish and dispose of this invasive pest,” the Parks Dept website instructs. A spotted lanternfly nest resembles wads of chewing gum and can be found on trees. “If you see a nest, please remove it, put it in a plastic bag and dispose of it,” a representative from  CM Brewer’s office advises.

“Too cute to kill?” Photograph by Olivia Henderson.

Do these instructions present a moral dilemma for some people?  A recent NY Times article talked about those who have a hard time squishing the bugs, who think the insects are “too cute to kill” or might “take the bug’s side.”

But like the little boy at sweetgreen, some feel empowered to follow instructions and take on the problem. “They land on my terrace with a whack, and I know I have work to do,” said a resident of West 77th Street. “I use my husband’s old putter to squish them if they don’t jump away. My husband and I are taking our job seriously.”

Spotted lanternflies were first detected in the United States in 2014 in Pennsylvania. The insects, which can now be found in 11 eastern states, are believed to have come over on a stone shipment from China in 2012. They made their first appearance in NYC on Staten Island in July 2020. According to a spokesperson from CM Brewer’s office, the spotted lanternfly can lay eggs on buildings in addition to trees. “They like to crawl straight up, they love the warmth of concrete and new constructions.” Spotted lanternflies emerge in July and begin to lay eggs in September, reproducing quickly, the spokesperson said.

Corpses. Photo by Joy Bergmann.

“I have noticed an uptick in the number of corpses in Riverside Park, especially between 69th and 71st Streets,” a resident who lives near the Park said.

“We are seeing more spotted lanternflies this year,” a spokesperson from the Central Park Conservancy added. “We are supporting the public awareness campaign that if you see one squish it and dispose of it.”

The Parks Dept is not considering any sort of widespread treatment plan at this time, despite the growing population of spotted lanternflies. “A citywide pesticide treatment program would be difficult to achieve given current permitting requirements, the prohibitive cost, and may also harm other wildlife and cause unintended damage to surrounding ecosystems,” a spokesperson for Parks emailed.

CM Brewer says we should not have mercy for the lanternflies or their egg sacs.  “Each bug we smash is one less that can reproduce. If we remove an egg sac, we have disposed of potentially 200 insects. We have a responsibility to protect biodiversity. We need to reduce the spread.”

Share this article:
guest

guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

21 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
joseph katz
joseph katz
6 months ago

Show no mercy. Kill them as soon as you spot them.

3
Reply
Nancy
Nancy
6 months ago

Ugh! Had noticed odd clusters of dozens of them on the ground and walls near large apartment buildings – couldn’t figure out why – now I know it is because they are laying eggs on the warm concrete and brick surfaces. My friend up in the 38th floor near 68th street said she had killed several on her balcony – hundreds of feet up! And that in the afternoon sun they walk up the warm bricks at the edges of her windows. That’s a lot of walking or flying for a bug. Not sure how we can stop them – NYC sounds ideal if they like buildings – but thanks for the info about “nests like wads of chewing gum.” Worth taking an extra bag when you walk the dog for sure.

4
Reply
Michele
Michele
6 months ago

Is the occasional “squish” by citizens really making a difference in the population? I wonder why there isn’t a widespread effort by the Dept of Ag, and also wondering if there’s a natural predator that can be safely overbred? I understand that these insects are traveling across several states already.

6
Reply
Dee
Dee
6 months ago

Since last Friday I have seen an average of three per sidewalk block. Made me wonder if any connection to the spraying for mosquitos last week. At any rate, they are now the most populous insect here on the UWS between 106-116 Sts. I’ve never seen any insect population so large. I do see kids stomping on them so that’s good.

6
Reply
MJB
MJB
6 months ago

I found one half-alive in a head of lettuce from a local farm. Very concerning if they are attacking the crops. The lettuce was sitting in my fridge for several days. It didn’t kill the thing, it started flying around!

2
Reply
Cordcutter
Cordcutter
6 months ago

Does anyone know when the season for these annoyances will be over? I’m afraid to keep the windows open for long, for fear they’ll start making their way into our house.

1
Reply
John
John
6 months ago

There’s a huge batch of them along the Hudson River Greenway (bike path) a few blocks north and south of the restaurant by the water (c. 67th street) beneath the overpass. I’ve been thinking of returning from a bike commute to conduct a squishing party: protect our plants!

2
Reply
T. Sato
T. Sato
6 months ago
Reply to  John

I noticed the same, especially on the railings of the bridge path. I wonder if they are breeding nearby.

0
Reply
LEE APT
LEE APT
6 months ago

I HAVE NOT SEEN THEM UP WHERE I LIVE – WEA IN THE 100S. BUT I KEEP SEEING THEM ON WEST 57TH STREET – BOTH DEAD AND ALIVE – WHERE I HAVE KILLED SEVERAL.

0
Reply
West 90th Street Jeff
West 90th Street Jeff
6 months ago

Arborists have recommended wrapping one or two bands of flypaper around tree trunks to trap the insects as they climb them. I hope that this method and others are being discussed by the Conservancy leadership and that they come up with and execute a workable plan of action in the shortest possible time

2
Reply
Terry
Terry
6 months ago
Reply to  West 90th Street Jeff

Unfortunately, the sticky tape used to trap lanternflies on tree trunks also ensnares birds and other wildlife, often fatally injuring them.

https://www.nj.com/news/2022/08/spotted-lanternfly-glue-traps-are-killing-birds-wildlife-rescue-group-warns.html

3
Reply
Rachel
Rachel
6 months ago

I try to squish them but we’ve lost to this invasive species. On Amsterdam between 71 and 67, there are thousands by all these new buildings.

1
Reply
Jean
Jean
6 months ago

Perhaps Praying Mantis or other enemies of these bugs will help?
I heard a certain type of wasp is their enemy but not sure what kind or if they will ever be introduced to handle these pests.

1
Reply
lucy
lucy
6 months ago

I use dishwashing soap and water in a squirt bottle. It takes several squirts per fly but it does kill them.

3
Reply
Capt Jellico
Capt Jellico
6 months ago

Why bother stomping them? It’s fun but hardly a strategy to reduce their numbers. There are effective sprays which are natural. The best way is to target their favorite plant tree of heaven also a Chinese invasive. Inject it with an insecticide. Then there will a mass die off of SLF. They are the only ones that eat that crap too. The solutions are so simple a child could understand. This stomp them out crap the government is telling us is just a distraction from their lack of action!

3
Reply
Jo Silverman
Jo Silverman
6 months ago

From China again. Makes one wonder.

2
Reply
NYCgirl
NYCgirl
6 months ago

Apparently a spray bottle of vinegar works well

1
Reply
Jay
Jay
6 months ago

Why would CM Brewer recommend using plastic bags for these pests? Don’t we have enough plastic garbage already?

Just squish ’em.

1
Reply
MJB
MJB
6 months ago
Reply to  Jay

Tell me anything sensible and addressing hot issues Brewer addressed.

0
Reply
just sayin
just sayin
6 months ago

Yup, the invasion of S.L.F. is a problem, but we true UWSers need to be more understanding; After all, S.L.F.s do what they gotta-do.
In-other-words, like the proverbial leopard, can a Spotted Lantern Fly change its spots?

0
Reply
Julia
Julia
6 months ago

i saw a lot (maybe 20) scattered along RSD between 103-104 a few days ago. Did not know I was to squash them.

0
Reply

YOU MIGHT LIKE...

Check Out this Year’s Participatory Budgeting Choices; Voting March 25-April 2
NEWS

Check Out this Year’s Participatory Budgeting Choices; Voting March 25-April 2

March 24, 2023 | 1:48 PM - Updated on March 25, 2023 | 12:02 AM
PANEL VOTES TO (FINALLY) MAKE CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE A LANDMARK
HISTORY

Cathedral of St. John the Divine to Host Service of Apology for Slavery on Saturday

March 24, 2023 | 8:06 AM
Previous Post

Here’s the Dish: The Migrant Kitchen’s Lamb Torta Sandwich

Next Post

Openings and Closings: Coppola’s, Kissaki, Affordable Chic, Rosetta, Royale Cleaners, Clear MD

this week's events image

Explore Your Favorite Subject

20th precinct 24th precinct american museum of natural history animals art bicycling bulletin central park closings columns community board 7 coronavirus crash crime development dogs events fdny fire food gale brewer helen rosenthal history jcc lincoln center monday bulletin morning bulletin nypd openings pedestrian safety photography photos politics public schools pupper west side real estate restaurants retail riverside park silver stars fitness snow sponsored subway upper west side uws

CITY NEWS

Brick Underground
City Limits
Eater
Gothamist
NY Daily News
NY Post
NY Times

LOCAL RESOURCES

Bloomingdale Neighborhood History Group
Central Park Conservancy
CB7
Community Education Council 3
Assembly District 67
The New York Historical Society
Riverside Park
West End Preservation

UWS Blogs

Bloomingdale History Central Park Blogger
North River Notes

Next Post
Openings and Closings: Coppola’s, Kissaki, Affordable Chic, Rosetta, Royale Cleaners, Clear MD

Openings and Closings: Coppola's, Kissaki, Affordable Chic, Rosetta, Royale Cleaners, Clear MD

SILVER STARS FITNESS — IT’S TIME FOR A NEW YOU! (SPONSORED)

SILVER STARS FITNESS: For Boomers & Beyond Who Want to Get Stronger, Steadier, and Slimmer

Welcome Fall: A Poetry ‘Reading and Planting’ in the 91st Street Garden on Saturday

Welcome Fall: A Poetry 'Reading and Planting' in the 91st Street Garden on Saturday

  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • NEWSLETTER
  • WSR MERCH!
  • ADVERTISE
  • EVENTS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USE
  • SITE MAP
Site design by RLDGROUP

© 2023 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • TOP NEWS
  • THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • CONTACT US
  • WSR SHOP

© 2023 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.