Spotted Lanternfly Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is another heavy hitter in urban for- ests, having quickly moved along the east coast while inching its way closer into the South. Da- vid Whisple, PHC manager at Barrett Tree Service East , emphasized how widespread the spotted lanternfly (SLF) has become, noting its presence in the most surprising places.
“Spotted lanternfly is popping up in many areas as the public
is becoming more familiar with them,” he said. “The tough part about them is that they lay their eggs on almost any- thing — cars, benches, siding, etcetera. This makes it very hard to apply treatment in landscapes.”
Emerald ash borer (EAB) is a highly destructive invasive insect responsible for widespread ash tree mortality across North America. Key signs include D-shaped exit holes, canopy dieback, among others.
Nicole Carpenter, presi- dent of Black Pest Preven- tion , anticipates that longer, warmer growing seasons will contrib- ute to more unwelcome sightings of this and many other pests. “In the Northeast, that [weather] gave spotted lanternflies and magnolia scale extra time to feed and lay eggs,” Car-
“Look for D-shaped holes in the tree and dieback [in the canopy],” Robert Caffrey, owner of Caffrey Tree & Landscape LLC advised. Other EAB symptoms include bark blonding, S-shaped larval galleries, and woodpecker activity.
EXHIBIT A: INVASIVE SPECIES The presence of invasive species in urban forests is not new, though its scope and impact on trees increase significantly ev- ery year. According to a research study published in 2022, it is estimated that 1.4 million street trees in the United States will be decimated by insects from 2020 to 2050 , costing an annualized average of $30 million. Ninety percent (90%) of these mortalities are expected to result from a very tiny, very familiar adversary. Emerald Ash Borer The prolific tyranny of emerald ash borer ( Agrilus planipennis ) has been raging for decades since it was first de- tected in 2002. This scintillating jewel beetle from northeast Asia has all but captured the heart of the Midwest and is en route to populate the rest of the continent in the coming years. With no signs of slowing down anytime soon, EAB is causing considerable alarm in many ash-dominant communities across North America.
Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is a damaging invasive pest of many trees and crops. Look for egg masses in fall-spring, nymphs in spring-summer, and adults in summer-winter.
8 | Winter 2026 ArborTIMES ™
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online