Round Two: Invasive Spotted Lanternfly Has Landed in Michigan

They may look pretty but make no mistake: The invasive spotted lanternfly is a nasty, invasive creature, and it has been once again found in Michigan.

On Monday (6/24), the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported a small population of the creature in Monroe County.

What is the Spotted Lanternfly?

The official name for the species is Lycorma delicatula. The species is known to dine on vegetation and fruit trees and poses a threat to black walnut, river birch, will, sumac, and red maple trees.

When it feeds, it produces a sticky liquid that can collect on the ground or nearby vegetation. The result can be a growth of sooty mold which has been known to kill plants.

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The species is native to Southwestern Asia, including parts of China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. This is the second time the creature has been identified in Michigan, it made its first appeared Pontiac in the summer of 2022.

Where Was the Spotted Lanternfly Detected?

On Monday (6/24), MDARD confirmed a small population of juvenile spotted lanternfly in Lambertville, which is in Monroe County.

Experts warned that the creature was likely to invade Michigan after it first appeared in the US in Eastern Pennsylvania. Residents of Berks County have been battling the bug since 2014, with some reporting that they feel like they're being held prisoners in their own homes.

Here's How to Avoid Spreading the Pest

Experts say the spotted lanternfly likes to hitchhike to new areas by catching a ride on vehicles, firewood, campers, and tires.

They recommend checking vehicles before traveling long distances and always discourage moving vegetation or firewood from region to region.

Get Planting: 10 Deer Resistant Flowers & Plants

We plant, and the deer eat. Not that we mind seeing the adorable four-legged friends making their way around our yards, but when they turn our hard work into their private banquet, that's a different thing. Planting these flowers & plants may keep Bambi and the gang away from your flower beds and gardens.

Gallery Credit: Unsplash/ Lowes

9 Plants That Mosquitoes Absolutely Hate

Some plants are pretty, some are fragrant, but these plants also keep those pesky mosquitoes away.

Gallery Credit: Photo: Wallmart

LOOK: Here Are 30 Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

Gallery Credit: Rachel Cavanaugh

Check Out 27 TV Shows That Were All Set in Michigan

Michigan is a great state surrounded by the Great Lakes - and it also makes a great setting for a TV show.

We all know that 'Home Improvement' starring Michigan's own Tim Allen is set here in Michigan, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Or in this case, the tip of the Mitten.

Check out these 27 TV shows that have been based right here in good ol' Michigan.

Gallery Credit: George McIntyre

Categories: Michigan News, Newsletter