It was good news last week when the state DEC told The Post-Journal that the spotted lanternfly found at Hogan’s Hut recently was likely a hitchhiker that found its way here.

Unfortunately, we all know it’s going to be a brief reprieve. Eventually, this unwanted hitchhiker is going to find its way to Chautauqua County. For years, this region has heard warnings about the devastation this creature can bring to agriculture, especially grape vineyards. We’ve spent hundreds of thousands of dollars eradicating one of the spotted lanternfly’s favorite host plants, the Tree of Heaven, from the banks of the Chadakoin River in an effort to remove the “Vacancy” sign for the spotted lanternfly.

DEC officials told The Post-Journal spotted lanternfly nymphs began emerging in Tennessee and North Carolina a few weeks ago, so they don’t expect to see adult spotted lanternfly in New York until sometime in July. So far the spotted lanternfly has been confirmed on Staten Island while quickly spreading to the Finger Lakes, Geneva, Ontario County; Schenectady, Schenectady County; and Cohoes, Albany County. As we said, we’ve been granted a reprieve – but given our region’s dependence on summer tourism we’d expect that reprieve to be unfortunately short.

So keep an eye out. Those who find a spotted lanternfly are asked to collect the insect, put it in a plastic bag and freeze it, or place it in a jar with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. Email a picture and location to spottedlanternfly@agriculture.ny.gov or at agriculture.ny.gov/reportSLF

As part of the state’s response efforts, the Department of Agriculture and Markets Division of Plant Industry are working with partners and stakeholders to determine the extent of the population in these newly reported areas. In December Ag and Markets officials said Upstate and Western New York residents should remain vigilant through the spring when spotted lanternfly eggs begin to hatch, and report sightings by following these steps:

– Take a photo.

– Collect a sample and place it in a freezer or in a jar with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer,

— Contact the spotted lanternfly responders and report spotted lanternfly directly at agriculture.ny.gov/reportslf, and

After reporting spotted lanternfly and collecting a sample, kill any additional spotted lanternfly by stepping on it or crushing it.

Agriculture is a large part of this area’s economy. Having awareness of this intruder is best for all of us.