As terrible as spotted lanternflies are and as much damage as they cause, two local artists are making the most out of the invasion by writing lanternfly-inspired music and even turning the dreaded bug into jewelry, reports 6ABC. 

Tim Cheney, a member of the music group The Edge Hill Rounders and a Glenside resident, killed his first lanternfly one year ago at the Philadelphia Folkfest. After that first slaying, musical inspiration struck him, and he wrote a song titled “Die, Die, Die, Spotted Lanternfly.”

The lyrics, clever and punchy, describe the beginning of their invasion and how they were “spotted first in southeastern PA, and they’re spreading farther day by day.” 

Cheney wanted the song to be historically accurate, as well as educational, both about the species and ways in which they can be killed. One line reads, “in the fall find the eggs on a water tree trunk and scrape ’em off in an alcohol dunk. That’s one sure way to make them die.” 

It’s safe to assume that everyone is now aware of the danger spotted lanternflies pose to local agriculture and green space, and that squishing a Spotted Lanternfly on sight is common practice among the populace. 

Less common practice, and in fact rare, is the dismembering of the bugs once they’ve been slain and turning their wings into beautiful earrings, like Candice Jeffries does. 

“I say sorry before I do it because I feel bad,” said Jeffries.

When Jeffries first saw a spotted lanternfly, she thought they were beautiful. However, as an employee at the Lower Merion Conservancy, she is a firsthand witness to the damage the pretty ruby-red bug causes to nature. 

“Once I found out how invasive they were, I thought it would be cool if we could do something positive about the fact they have to be killed,” she said. So she started making earrings with their wings and selling them through her art business, TheWhitmanFox.

The first orders sold out quickly, and it’s Jeffries hope that each squash of a lanternfly is one step closer to ending the tyranny of the lanternfly and ultimately putting her jewelry scheme out of business.

Read more about Tim Cheney and Candice Jeffries at 6ABC here and here. 

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