SPOTTED LANTERNFLY QUARANTINE:  The Chester County Health Department would like to make municipalities aware that Chester County is quarantined for Spotted Lanternfly. The quarantine is in place to stop the movement of this pest to new areas and to slow its spread within the quarantine. The quarantine affects a variety of plant, wood and stone products.

The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive insect new to the United States. Spotted Lanternflies are native to Southeast Asia, but they have been introduced to other areas of Asia as well—including to Korea, where Spotted Lanternflies are a major pest to agriculture to include major destruction of grapes, fruit-bearing trees and other plants. SLF are reproducing quickly in our area of south-eastern Pennsylvania, and Spotted Lanternflies have the potential to become a major threat to Pennsylvania’s agriculture and forestry industries.

The PA Department of Agriculture quarantine directs citizens and municipal authorities to follow guidelines to prevent the movement of SLF at any stage of development. These guidelines direct citizens to inspect all wood and vegetation that might leave the quarantined municipality. In addition, these guidelines direct citizens to inspect vehicles, trailers, and other mobile equipment prior to moving such equipment out of the quarantine.

Municipalities are encouraged to learn more about the Spotted Lanternfly, the quarantine, and available resources:

• PA Department of Agriculture:
   http://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/PlantIndustry/Entomology/spotted_lanternfly/Pages/default.aspx
• Handling Invasive Spotted Lanternfly free webinar:
• Chester County Health Department:
  http://chesco.org/3361/Lantern-Fly
• SLF Quarantine Order 5-2018
• How to comply with SLF regulations fact sheet 9-18

Contact the Chester County Health Department at 610-344-6225 for guidance.