Penn State

Pennsylvanians interested in learning more about the spotted lanternfly, an invasive species found in the state last fall, are invited to a public meeting Oct. 22 in Berks County.

The event will take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the Brandywine Heights Middle School auditorium, 200 West Weis St.,Topton.

Representatives from Penn State Extension, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences’ Department of Entomology, and the Department of Biology at Kutztown University will provide information regarding the eradication efforts to date as well as answer any questions regarding the related quarantine order.

The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, is an invasive insect that was first discovered in Berks County in September 2014.

The insect has the potential to destroy high-value crops, including grapes, tree fruits and hardwood lumber.

In an effort to keep it from spreading, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has quarantined the Berks County townships of District, Earl, Hereford, Pike, Rockland, Washington (including the boroughs of Bally and Bechtelsville), Colebrookdale and Longswamp (including the borough of Topton.)

This meeting is open to the public and pre-registration is not required.

Questions regarding this event can be directed to Emelie Swackhamer at exs33@psu.edu.

For more information about the spotted lanternfly, call Penn State Extension at 610-391-9840 or visit http://www.agriculture.pa.gov or http://extension.psu.edu/pests/spotted-lanternfly.