Keep Calm and Squish On

Virtual Spotted Lanternfly Summit

The New York State Integrated Pest Management Program capped a year of extensive outreach and education surrounding invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) (SLF) with a virtual Spotted Lanternfly Summit. This multi-state effort brought more than 720 individuals, government regulators, educators and researchers together to share knowledge and address the challenges SLF poses to viticulture, forestry and public health. Attendees from 39 states and five territories of Canada attended the Summit, which included presentations on SLF biology and management, effective control strategies and discussions on how to prepare for the inevitable arrival of SLF in new states. The two-day event fostered collaboration and provided a vital forum for advancing efforts in combating the spread of SLF and safeguarding agricultural and natural resources.

Collaboration for Combating SLF

NYSIPM has established itself as a leading expert on SLF, working in concert with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to spread awareness and deliver strategies for controlling the spread of this invasive insect, which reached record numbers in New York City and the Hudson Valley during the summer of 2022.

Mapping SLF to Support Awareness and Outreach

The development of an interactive Spotted Lanternfly Distribution Map has allowed the Program to provide real-time information about confirmed SLF infestations throughout the U.S. and has been shared by national and international media outlets, educational institutions and extension programs. The map served as an integral part of the Program’s 2022 outreach efforts, which saw Senior Extension Associate Brian Eshenaur and Director Alejandro Calixto featured in more than 50 publications and dozens of broadcast interviews about the invasive and included a social media campaign that reached more than 105,000 people.