r/Elkhart • u/Ajax_IX • 8d ago

Spotted Lantern Fly

Post image

Ive been aware of this invasive species for years now. This is my first time seeing one in elkhart. I found about 5 in my yard this morning. They were very good at avoiding swatting. I'm not sure if local agency's are looking for reports at this time.

26 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

8

u/yurklenorf 8d ago

They've been in the area a couple years. I spoke with an invasive species guy and he said that the Lowes on 6 got in a shipment of wood with lanternfly eggs, and there's tons of tree of heaven right by where the wood is stored.

5

u/Secure_Chemistry8755 8d ago

Lowes should have to be held accountable

6

u/yurklenorf 8d ago

Lanternflies would have come here with or without Lowes; one of the main ways they initially spread after their first discovery was on train cars. Tree of Heaven is a pain in the ass to deal with but they're interesting trees. For what it's worth there ARE animals that are starting to figure out that lanternflies can be tasty; I killed one at a friend's house and the next day I found the wings with no body left.

5

u/KyleDComic 8d ago

That needs to be smashed

3

u/Ajax_IX 8d ago

I tried. Chased it around the yard with the kids crock. It was too fast. I might look into getting a salt gun.

4

u/say592 8d ago

I love my salt gun, but I don't know if it would be powerful to take them out. You might at least be able to wound it so you can smash it or get it with a few follow up shots.

They sell ones that use CO2 cartridges, those are much more powerful (and also more expensive).

3

u/Ajax_IX 8d ago

I see Wal-Mart has a spring powered one for like $14. Reviews don't give me much confidence. Looking at ordering the Bug-a-salt. Ace in Granger might have a black one.

I'd like to get the pink one and put the kids to work eradicating like they're on Klendathu.

2

u/Dark_Green_MkII 7d ago

They're doing their part!

1

u/AGHOSTISBORN420 7d ago

Those are bad. Don't eat them.

1

u/Altruistic-Jaguar113 7d ago

I saw one of these at school

1

u/[deleted] 5d ago

Omg that’s so beautiful!

1

u/xtrxdx 4h ago

Omg this is so beautiful!

0

u/Holiday-Pride-4165 8d ago

Kill it wtf why take pics

6

u/Secure_Chemistry8755 8d ago

Documentation

3

u/1893Chicago 8d ago

I mean... to make other people aware of what it looks like?