State leaders visit Monongahela to share ways to slow spread of invasive spotted lanternfly

By Matt Petras
For the MVI
Following the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s addition of Washington County to the Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine in March, the department said the pest’s population in the county is minimal but worthy of vigilance.
“As much as we know about the spotted lanternfly, there’s also a lot that we don’t know about it,” said Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding at a press conference outside the Monongahela Aquatorium Wednesday. “We continue to learn every season about these pests.” Redding was joined by Penn State Extension Area Master Gardener Coordinator Valerie Sesler, Washington County Conservation District Manager Matthew Golden, and other state and local leaders to discuss the threat that the spotted lanternfly poses and share information and resources to help Pennsylvanians limit the spread of the detrimental, invasive insect.

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