The spotted lanternfly has been discovered in Illinois. The Asian insect was first discovered on the East Coast and has made its way progressively westward, hitching rides on trucks and rail cars.
Officials have asked citizens to kill any of the insects they see, and report them to authorities.
The spotted lanternfly is a pest which feeds on fruit trees and has distinctive black spots and bright red wing markings. They leave behind a sticky waste that can collect on surfaces and produce minor to moderate damage for a wide variety of useful plants.
On Tuesday, the Illinois Department of Agriculture confirmed that insects found at an undisclosed location on Sept. 16 were indeed members of the invasive species. A department spokesman said they aren’t expected to cause widespread plant or tree death but may impact orchards, pumpkin patches, and vineyards.
