Spotted lanternflies found in Philadelphia parks

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - The invasive insect known as a spotted lanternfly has officially made its way to the City of Brotherly Love.

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation shared a 'wanted' photo of the spotted lanternfly on their Facebook page announcing that they have been found in Philadelphia parks.

First discovered in Berks County in 2012, spotted lanternflies are now in more than a dozen Pennsylvania counties, including Lehigh and Northampton, and parts of New Jersey.

With no natural predators, the spotted lanternfly poses a multibillion-dollar threat to the state's agriculture industry because it feeds on stone fruit-bearing plants, and also leaves behind a sticky substance that attracts mold. Lanternflies are also known to destroy Tree-of-Heaven, maples, and other members of our urban forest.

State and federal officials are spending more than $20 million to research and eradicate the insect.

To stop its march, experts recommend killing the insect - by insecticide, foot or a good old-fashioned fly swatter.