Don’t Let It’s Beauty Fool You, This Insect Is Actually So Dangerous, Officials Want You To Kill It

How can something so beautiful be so destructive? I find myself asking that question as I read about one of the most beautiful and dangerous insects around…

Meet the Spotted Lanternfly, which is an invasive species from China that has officially made its way into the U.S.

On the outside, it is a beautiful insect with spotted, bright red wings and a little bumble bee-like body.

In reality, it is so dangerous, federal and state officials have a unified message: If you come across the insect, kill it. 

Why Should You Kill The Spotted Lanternfly?

The Spotted Lanternfly wreaks havoc on agriculture. They aren’t physically harmful to humans, but they threaten everything from oak, walnut and poplar trees to grapes, almonds and fruit orchards.

So in short, they wreak havoc on trees, plants, and other natural resources.

Spotted Lanternflies feed on the sap of more than 70 plant species and excrete a sticky substance known as “honeydew,” which attracts “large amounts of sooty molds” that negatively impact the plants’ ability to photosynthesize, grow and yield fruits. The pests continuously feeding on plants also makes those plants more vulnerable to disease and attacks from other insects.

Source

The Spotted Lanternfly was first found in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in 2014, but it has now spread to at least nine states, primarily in the Northeast. Growing numbers have been spotted in New York City and they will only continue to spread unless we can stop it.

People who come across these hesitate wanting to kill them because of their beauty but according to all the officials, you are doing the right thing and are seen as a hero for killing these invasive insects.

So, if you happen to spot one of these Spotted Lanternflies, kill it and don’t feel bad about doing it!