Greenville Residents on Alert as Invasive Spotted Lanternfly Creeps Closer

Greenville Residents on Alert as Invasive Spotted Lanternfly Creeps Closer

GREENVILLE — The sunshine in our lovely city is as warm as ever today, with the high reaching a cozy 78°F and the low dipping to a pleasant 50°F tonight. It’s the kind of fall day that beckons you to enjoy the outdoors. But as many of us embrace the beautiful weather, there’s a creeping concern lurking just beneath the surface: the spotted lanternfly.

This little critter may look harmless with its eye-catching red, brown, and black wings, but don’t let its beauty fool you. At just an inch long, the spotted lanternfly has the potential to wreak havoc on our local agriculture, which could cost Greenville and the wider South Carolina economy tens of millions of dollars and thousands of jobs.

A Growing Concern

As of late, experts have been ringing the alarm bells about this flying pest. Native to Asia, the first U.S. sighting of the spotted lanternfly was in Pennsylvania back in 2014. In recent years, it has made its way to our neighboring states, North Carolina and Tennessee, which puts South Carolina next in line. So, what does this mean for you and me?

“It’d be living in a fantasy world to think it never will get here,” says David Coyle, an associate professor at Clemson University. His awareness and vigilance are shared by many, as they prepare for the inevitable arrival of this invasive species.

What Should We Expect?

So, why should we pay attention to a tiny bug? Well, the spotted lanternfly’s rampage began with grapevines and apple orchards, two crops vital to our local farmers. Coyle notes that the lanternfly can munch on more than 100 different plants, spreading a sticky honeydew substance that attracts other pests like ants and leads to unsightly black sooty mold covering our beautiful trees.

It may sound a bit scary, but Coyle reassures us that while it could hit our peach orchards hard, many farmers already use pesticides that could keep this invader in check. The good news? Spotted lanternflies are not harmful to humans, so we don’t need to worry about personal health risks.

What Can We Do?

The state is not sitting idle, either. Clemson and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are gearing up a proactive approach to tackle this pest should it be spotted here. “We need to assist in slowing it down, but there is no national eradication going to happen at this point,” says Steven Long, assistant director of Clemson’s plant industry department.

Long emphasizes that early detection is key. If you see what you think might be a spotted lanternfly, don’t hesitate to report it. “Even if they might be incorrect,” he says. “The public is wrong all the time in their reports, but it takes us just a few seconds to look at their report and determine they’re right or wrong.” Your reports could save the state millions.

Keeping Our Eyes Open

If the spotted lanternfly does arrive in South Carolina, it will likely settle into high-density and heavily traveled areas, making our highways and ports prime targets for its invasion. Experts recommend focusing on places where the invasive Tree of Heaven grows, as this is the lanternfly’s preferred hangout.

As the weather remains nice and we head out to enjoy our favorite local spots, it’s important to stay vigilant. Make a mental note of what to look for, and keep those smartphones handy. Together, we can help protect the beauty and bounty of our state from this unwelcome visitor.

Let’s stay informed and proactive so our Greenville can keep thriving, brightening up our days with both sunshine and prosperous agriculture!