Subject: Unable to identify
Location: Berks County, PA
July 26, 2017 5:03 pm
This insect was found in my rasberry patch. Just curious if it’s a danger to them or to me. It just sat there as I dug through them.
Signature: CW
Dear CW,
This is a recently arrived, Invasive Exotic species the immature Spotted Lanternfly or White Cicada. According to BugGuide: “native to China, India, Japan and Vietnam; invasive in Korea and in our area (PA; Berks Co. Sep 2014)” and “SIGHTING REPORTS WANTED: Experts are working to delimit the current population and find new infestations of this species. Please report sightings on the Pennsylvania Dept. of Agriculture website. earliest NA record: PA 2014. ” This is a plant eating species that uses its piercing mouthparts to suck nutrients from host plants.