Spotted lanterflies threaten $18 billion worth of Pennsylvania agriculture, and still they keep coming, writes Michael Rubinkam for The Allentown Morning Call.

The hoard has been slowed but not stopped by Pennsylvania citizens armed with fly swatters and vacuums, dish soap, and sticky tape.

“DESTROY THEM,” a propaganda poster urges. A fake preview re-imagines the insect invasion as a horror film. An app called “Squish” has users track and map their lanternfly kills and post photos of the crumpled carcasses.

The bugs threaten tree fruit, timber, hops, and grapes, and they’ve expanded into New Jersey, Delaware, and Virginia.

Scientists are testing chemical and biological controls, including native fungi implicated in a lanternfly die-off in Berks County. Quarantines try to limit the bugs’ spread.

And now, with females beginning to lay their eggs, Pennsylvania wants its citizen militia to scrape the mud-like egg masses from trees, cars, lawn furniture, outdoor equipment, and other surfaces.

“We’re heading into the season where everyday people can have the greatest impact on what happens next year,” said Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Shannon Powers. “Every egg mass you scrape gets rid of 30 to 60 insects that might hatch out next season.”

Read the latest on spotted lanternflies in The Allentown Morning Call here.

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