Did stomping out the dreaded spotted lanternfly work? UMW’s expert entomologist has the buzz on when we’ll know and what to expect

It’s the bug that been in the news all summer long. The spotted lanternfly is an invasive species that was first spotted on American soil seven years ago and is now moving at a fever pitch across the country.

The petulant pest has the potential to devastate crops and agriculture – and there were hopes that steps to eradicate or at least minimize the insect’s spread would work. That’s why media are looking to experts like Josephine Antwi from the University of Mary Washington for answers.

"The key right now, is to keep them from spreading and to keep their numbers down in areas where they currently occur," said Josephine Antwi, an entomologist at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia. "By destroying egg masses in the winter, we keep the number of the following generation down." September 30 - NorthJersey.com

If you're writing about the Spotted Lanternfly, Dr. Antwi is available to speak with media; simply click on her icon to arrange an interview today.