Social media users and officials agree that it’s ‘stomp’ season for red lantern fries.
The invasive insect is native to China and Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan and parts of India, and is prevalent and growing in 14 states, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The spotted fly was first detected in trees and fruit in Pennsylvania in September 2014.
It can now be found in Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Virginia and West Virginia, according to the USDA. reported.
Americans dealing with the lambo fly infestation seem to share photos and videos of the insects they find with interest and disgust.
One Instagram user wrote below a Lanternfly compilation video uploaded by What Is New York, “Believe me, when I say ‘uh,’ I speak for millions of people.” I am,” he wrote. This meme page chronicles the weirdness of New York and is often sourced from user submissions. .
This compilation shows lantern flies swarming the sides of buildings, sidewalks, and ledges.
Some insects are seen crawling on humans.
Over 134,690 people on Instagram have liked the post and left their thoughts in the comments.
“Where are the birds that love to eat insects?” asked one Instagram user. “Rats need to get in on this too.”
“One flew onto my shirt the other day,” another user wrote, adding a “crying face” emoji.
Another user joked, “They packed up and left my area in Pennsylvania…they fit right in with everyone.”
Another user cited music artist Vanessa Carlton’s song “A Thousand Miles,” saying, “Go downtown, crush it, crush it, they run fast, I’m home.” I was joking.
While many social media users are writing to say they’re disgusted with the rhomboid fly, government agencies are urging the public to kill the insect whenever they see it.
Wildlife, nature and agriculture departments in 14 states have launched public service announcements encouraging people to squash the spotted fleas.
In August, new york state He urged the public to “do their part” and “stomp the acarambo”.
Similarly, New Jersey launched a “Stomp it Out!” campaign. With a campaign in 2021 to combat pests, authorities are reminding residents to step on the lanterns.
Other states have launched similar campaigns, but not necessarily with catchy slogans.
Government agencies say the rhomboids are an invasive alien species that eats more than 70 species of plants that pose a threat to the ecosystem and should be killed.
The USDA states that lamboflies are dangerous to a variety of crops, including almonds, apples, apricots, cherries, grapes, hops, maples, nectarines, oak trees, peaches, pine trees, plums, poplar trees, plane trees, walnut trees, and willows. said to have the potential to bring about wood.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, plants infested with lambo flies can ooze, weep, develop a sticky liquid, sooty mold and a fermented odor.
“If you find this pest outside of your spotted Rambo fly quarantine area, please take a picture, note the location and report it to the State Department of Agriculture before killing it,” officials wrote in Rambo’s profile. there is
Rantamflies gained national attention last year when Americans apparently became aware of the existence of an alien species.
