The invasive spotted lanternfly that has been popping up across the United States has been killing grapevines and destroying other crops, causing millions of dollars in damage to the U.S. agriculture industry.
The lanternfly was first detected in an overseas shipment of rocks that arrived in Pennsylvania in 2014. The pest, native to China, has since spread to 14 other states, including New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Indiana, Rhode Island, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut, Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia.
The USDA National Invasive Species Information Center have warned that lanternflies pose a "serious economic threat to multiple U.S. industries." The insect feeds on agricultural crops like grapes, apples and hops as well as maple, walnut and willow trees.
Source: foxnews.com