Search Site   
Current News Stories
The Temecula Valley Historical Society story
Foraged & Sown: Booming business born on one-tenth acre
Mule helps scientist build clearest horse, donkey genomes yet
Grain handling equipment loaded up bids at Kaufman auction
Book offers tips to dog owners to help their pups thrive
Hearty campfire meal better option than fancy city dining experience
AI is reshaping American food and ag, but federal policy lags behind
Indiana farmland values remain stable despite regional differences
Illinois looking for buyer of closed Tyson Food beef facility
Truck and tractor show raises money for Ross FFA chapter
EPA exempts 29 small refineries under 2025 RFS program
   
News Articles
Search News  
   
Spotted lanternfly found in Iowa
 
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – State officials are asking residents to keep an eye out for the spotted lanternfly after recently confirming the finding of two of the invasive insects in central Iowa.
As a young nymph, it is a black weevil-like bug with white spots but adds patches of bright red as it develops into a flying insect. It’s native to China, India and Vietnam, and was accidentally introduced into Pennsylvania in 2014, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. It has since been confirmed in 11 states and threatens the country’s grape, orchard, nursery and logging industries.
The state ag department was notified recently of the presence of two immature spotted lanternflies in Dallas County, and federal identification confirmed them. Nearby areas surveyed have not resulted in signs of an ongoing infestation, the department said.
The insects tend to gather in large numbers on host plants and feed on a wide range of fruit, ornamental and woody trees. Spotted lanternfly prefer grapes, hops and a host of trees found in Iowa, including tree-of-heaven, apple, cherry, maple, oak, peach, pine, plum, poplar, sycamore, walnut and willow.
Anyone spotting the insect is asked to contact the department’s Entomology and Plant Science Bureau.

8/8/2022