Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to an invasive pest that is wreaking havoc on farms and forests nationwide and is giving Pennsylvania agricultural producers a major headache. I am talking about the spotted lanternfly. This native Asian insect has been found in at least 14 different counties in Pennsylvania and has spread to our neighbors in Maryland and New Jersey as well. The spotted lanternfly feeds on sap, leaving all the plants that it touches weakened. The residue that the spotted lanternflies leave behind promotes mold growth which destroys many plants and crops. The spotted lanternfly has a diverse appetite, feeding on more than 70 different kinds of plants. From fruit trees to hardwoods and nursery industries, so many of the sectors of Pennsylvania's agricultural industry are subject to these pests. In Pennsylvania alone, it is estimated $18 billion in agriculture is at risk. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has issued a checklist that all residents should consult to check for spotted lanternfly egg masses. These things include camping equipment, firewood, outdoor children's toys, like playscapes and sandboxes, and more. By the end of the year, most adult spotted lanternflies will be dead. However, residents are encouraged to rid their property of any egg masses that they find by dowsing them in alcohol. Thankfully, research is being done to look into the best ways to combat this pest and eradicate it from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.…”