Congressional proposal would target spotted lanternfly

Spotted lanternflies, targeted by stomping feet wherever they’re found, have a new enemy: Congress.

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler, and three of his colleagues have introduced legislation that would authorize the nation’s agriculture chief to make grants available for lanternfly research aimed at stopping the spread of the invasive insect.

“Agriculture plays a vital role in Pennsylvania’s economy, especially in my district which is home to many family farms and agricultural businesses,” Kelly said in a news release announcing the proposed resolution.

“In Pennsylvania alone, the spotted lanternfly could cost hundreds of millions of dollars in economic damage and eliminate thousands of agricultural jobs. We must protect our farmers and harvesters from this invasive and dangerous threat,” he added.

Kelly introduced the resolution along with U.S. Reps. Joe Morrelle, D-N.Y., Chrissy Houlahan, D-Chester County, and Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y. Cosponsors include U.S. Reps. Summer Lee of Swissvale and Chris Deluzio of Fox Chapel, both Democrats. It was referred to the House Agriculture Committee.

The proposed resolution did not say how much money would be made available for the grants or when it might become available.

The spotted lanternfly, native to Asia, was first spotted in Pennsylvania in 2014. It can now be found in 56 of the state’s 67 counties, including all of Southwestern Pennsylvania, according to Penn State Extension.

The insect feeds on sap from many plants and can damage and in some cases kill the plants it feeds on. It seems to prefer grapevines, maples, black walnut, birch and willow, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. A 2019 study estimated that, left uncontrolled, spotted lanternflies could cost the state’s economy $324 million a year and more than 2,800 jobs, the department said.