A bipartisan effort is underway to stop the spread of the state’s spotted lanternflies.
Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick are backing a bill that would make the invasive pest a research priority through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Fetterman previously raised concerns about the impact of lanternflies during a 2023 Senate Agriculture subcommittee hearing on the Farm Bill.
“Antidotally they seem like the really even starting to spread more and more in Pennsylvania,” said Senator Fetterman. “Couple of years ago I never would have seen one in western Pennsylvania and now I see them much more so for just a few years later.”
The senators say the research could lead to better ways to control the pests and protect Pennsylvania farmers.
The pests were first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014 and have now spread to 51 counties, threatening crops like grapes, apples, and peaches.
Fetterman and McCormick are teaming up to take down pest
Fetterman and McCormick are teaming up to take down pest
