PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Spotted lanternfly eggs will soon be hatching in the region, and the public is being encouraged to do their part in controlling the invasive, destructive species.
All of the spotted lanternflies from last year have died, but not before laying eggs. Egg masses or casings are contained inside clumps of mud stuck to walls, trees, fences, patio furniture, even inside grills.
Karen Verderame, with the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, said the insects will most likely emerge during the next two weeks.
"This is when they look about the size of a chocolate chip, a little smaller," she described, "and they're black with white spots and they are very jumpy."
Verderame said people should look for the egg casings now. They should scrape them from surfaces and place them in a bag with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to prevent the eggs from hatching. If not, continue the squishing — on sight — to help control the population.
"They really become more noticeable to a lot of people at the end of the summer, but it's important to be vigilant through out the whole season," urged Verderame.
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Some of Pennsylvania's native species, like birds, bats and spiders, are now learning that they can eat the insect.
"They have warning colors that try to trick predators into thinking that they can't eat them, so our predators didn't recognize them as a food source," she said.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture estimated that, uncontrolled, the insects could cost the state $324 million each year in destroyed plants and crops.