Georgia Magazine - February 2025 - 9

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Spotted lanternfly poses threat
to agriculture
T
he invasive spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, has been confirmed in
Georgia, raising concerns about its potential impact on agriculture and
landscapes here. First detected in Fulton County in November, the insect
damages trees and crops, including grapevines, fruit trees and hardwoods.
Native to Asia, the spotted lanternfly was first identified in the United States in
Pennsylvania in 2014, likely arriving via imported goods. It since has spread to
15 states. While the pest does not bite or sting, it feeds on sap, weakening plants,
promoting mold growth and reducing crop yields.
Elizabeth McCarty, a forest health outreach specialist with the University of
Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension, explains that the lanternfly primarily spreads
through human activity.
" The primary means of their spread is not gradual movement but through
transportation of infested materials, " McCarty says.
The insect's preferred host, tree of heaven, Ailanthus altissima, is abundant along
roadsides in Georgia, creating ideal conditions for population growth. However, UGA
experts note that the limited tree of heaven distribution in southern Georgia and the
presence of wild muscadine grapes, which are resistant to the spotted lanterfly, may
influence the pest's spread and behavior in the region.
Residents who see spotted lanternflies are urged to photograph the insect or its
eggs and submit reports to the Georgia Invasive Species Task Force. Public involvement
is critical to managing the pest's spread, says Rebekah Wallace, program
coordinator at UGA's Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.
To prevent the spread, experts recommend sourcing local firewood and
inspecting vehicles and goods for signs of infestation. For resources and updates,
visit gainvasives.org.
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Sweet arrival
The infant Hoffmann's two-toed sloth born at
Zoo Atlanta in August has been named " Rolo "
after a public naming campaign. The name
aligns with his parents' sweet-themed names,
Nutella and Cocoa. Visitors can see Rolo and
his mother in Zoo Atlanta's Brazilian Outpost
section. To learn more, visit zooatlanta.org.
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Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle
®
MAGAZINE
Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle
®
MAGAZINE
Holiday
towns
MAGAZINE
page 30
Meet musician
Will Moseley
page 16
www.georgiamagazine.org
Lasagna Love project
spreads kindness
page 21
Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle
®
Georgia's cooperative
resilience
page 20
Color and fragrance in
the winter garden
page 26
DECEMBER 2024
GEMC
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Georgia Magazine - February 2025

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