DEC is working closely with NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) and the Federal USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to survey for the spotted lanternfly (SLF) invasive pest and to monitor the few instances of confirmed SLF detections in New York. Live adults have been found on Long Island, the Capital District, western New York, and most recently the southern tier. No reproducing populations have been detected, despite extensive surveillance associated with each find.

 In 2018, DEC and AGM established a unified incident command system (ICS) to respond to the threat of SLF becoming established in New York. DEC continues to support AGM as they move to more of a programmatic approach to SLF detection and management into the future. This pest primarily affects agriculture, damaging grapes, hops, and fruit trees. Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus) is its preferred host species, but it also attacks numerous other tree species. Survey efforts have concentrated on Ailanthus. Populations in certain locations in Pennsylvania have become extreme, causing widespread social impacts from SLF’s honeydew excrement. New York is committed to aggressively treating this pest to prevent or minimize damage in our State. 

The public can help by reporting SLF immediately after it is found. Follow these steps:

• Take a photo
• Collect a sample and place it in a freezer or in a jar with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer
• Contact the SLF responders

For more information and photos, visit DEC's spotted lanternfly webpage at https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/113303.html or AGM page at https://agriculture.ny.gov/spottedlanternfly.