News

New York State residents are encouraged to keep on the lookout for a new invasive species that has established itself in Western New York. Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) was first discovered in July 2021 and the IDL has been working closely with New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, as well as USDA, in monitoring the spread of the moths. 

There is a lot of concern about an Asian hornet in a few places in western USA, but as of May 2020 it is not found in eastern USA. All of the “giant hornets” we have been sent photos of in New York and nearby areas, are instead actually the European hornet (Vespa crabro), which has distinctive markings of black and yellow on the abdomen, and red-brown color on the front of the body. 

A new invasive pest of orchards, vineyards, and tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus), the Spotted Lanternfly (“SLF”) has been found in southeastern Pennsylvania and Virginia, and is continuing to show up in new locations in 2018, including 2 sites in New York State.