(Caption for Photo: First encountered in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014, the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) had spread to New York, Delaware, and Virginia by early 2018. The invasive insect threatens Tree of Heaven as well as grapes, hops, and fruit trees, and it has a penchant for hitchhiking. Anyone sighting spotted lanternfly is urged to report it to their state agriculture department or local extension office. (Credit for Photo: Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) This is the time in recent years when people usually see spotted lanternflies across Western Pennsylvania.

This insect also destroys crops for farmers.

Therefore, Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senators, John Fetterman and Dave McCormick, have now introduced a bipartisan bill to designate the spotted lanternfly as an invasive species which poses a significant threat to the country’s agricultural economy.

If this bill is passed, it would get more funding for research to curb the spread of the spotted lanternfly.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, if spotted lanternflies are not controlled, it could cost the state $324 million every year.