UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — With spotted lanternfly season nearing in Pennsylvania, officials at Penn State are reminding employees to take the spotted lanternfly training required by the University and inspect their vehicles when traveling within and outside of the quarantine zone.
In February, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture added six counties — Butler, Clearfield, Clinton, Fayette, Lawrence and Somerset — to the spotted lanternfly quarantine zone, for a total of 51 Pennsylvania counties quarantined. A PDF map of the quarantine zone can be found here.
This recent action reinforces the importance of Penn State employees in helping to stop the spread of the invasive pest, which poses a threat to Pennsylvania’s economy by damaging crops, landscapes and natural ecosystems.
Course required of employees who travel within the quarantine zone
All Penn State employees across the commonwealth whose work duties require travel to, from and within the quarantine zone must take an online class on the spotted lanternfly, available here.
The content of this course, which employees must complete just once, was created by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in partnership with Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.
When traveling within or leaving the quarantine zone, employees must do a quick inspection of the vehicles they are using and document it on an inspection log, according to Lysa Holland, environmental compliance engineer in the Environmental Health and Safety office.
This log and other related materials are part of spotted lanternfly kits, which are available from safety officers and/or spotted lanternfly designated employees in each college/unit at University Park. Those using a short-term fleet rental should request a spotted lanternfly kit when picking up the vehicle.
Keep a checklist handy
Additionally, the state Department of Agriculture advises people traveling within the quarantine zone to keep a spotted lanternfly checklist in their vehicles. By signing the checklist, residents indicate that they have inspected their vehicles for the presence of the spotted lanternfly and have removed any present. The checklist can be downloaded from the Environmental Health and Safety website.
Penn State has been at the forefront of efforts to stop or slow the spotted lanternfly invasion. College of Agricultural Sciences faculty, Penn State Extension educators, research technicians, and graduate and undergraduate students are engaged in spotted lanternfly studies. Their research objectives regarding the spotted lanternfly are clear — to find sustainable long-term solutions that are effective and environmentally safe.
More information about Penn State procedures for implementing the spotted lanternfly quarantine can be found on the Environmental Health and Safety website.
To learn more about the spotted lanternfly, permitting regulations, management techniques and how to report a sighting, visit the Penn State Extension website.