The independent student newspaper of Stevens Institute of Technology
If you’ve stepped outside on campus this week, you’ve probably seen the sprawling graveyards of deceased lanternflies. They lay on their backs faced towards the sky, wings parted and mangled, sometimes the only remnants are a rusty red paste. The corpses are sprayed away daily, yet thousands replace the previous deceased within hours. They cling to the University Center towers, the Howe Center, and some have even spotted in freshman dorms. Stevens has advised everyone to stop emailing complaints about the lanternflies, as they are extremely aware of the situation. A notice was sent out via email on Tuesday, September 13 stating, “We are aware of the infestation of spotted lanternflies on campus, especially in and around the UCC. We have our pest control company spraying daily.” The student body is advised to step on all living lantern bugs.
The lanternfly infestation is a nationwide issue, and can by no means be attributed to mismanagement on Stevens’ part. The U.S. Department of Agriculture states that lanternflies first arrived in the U.S. in 2014. They have attributed this invasive species’ spread to the fact that lanternflies are “hitchhikers.” The lantern flies lay their eggs on vehicles, outdoor equipment, and fruit intended for transit, which in turn results in the eggs hatching outside of the flies’ quarantine zones. Lanternflies are a threat to the United State’s agricultural infrastructure, with the greatest potential impact being the “grape, orchard, and logging industries.”
As far as aiding the extermination of this harmful species, it is advised that everyone inspect the foliage and outdoor surfaces surrounding their residences. Any adult spotted lanternflies should be immediately squished, and everyone should also look for signs of eggs. The Department of Agriculture states that “lanternfly egg masses are about an inch long and resemble a smear of mud.” If you detect these masses it is advised that you scrape the eggs up, place them in a ziplock bag, drench them with hand sanitizer, and “dispose of the sealed bag properly.”
NBC New York has also offered various tips on how to exterminate the insects. Spray bottles can be filled with various solutions including a white vinegar solution, or a soapy water mixture. Additionally, spotted lanternflies are attracted to milkweed. Placing milkweed outside is a passive way to kill the insect because once they feed on the sap they will die.
Many students have expressed frustration surrounding the infestation. Caterina Tassone was stalked by a lanternfly into her dorm room; she said “they are seemingly becoming more intelligent and they may as well enroll as students.” One student was overheard on campus questioning whether “stomping on lantern flies speeds up their natural evolution because we squish the slow ones.” Experts on the topic of invasive species are still strongly encouraging everyone to stomp on them.
Published in Campus News and News
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The independent student newspaper of Stevens Institute of Technology