NY Officials Take Action Against New Invasive Insect

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York officials are enacting a quarantine on movement into the state of landscaping debris and other items from four states impacted by a new invasive insect called the spotted lanternfly .

The quarantine restricts movement of certain goods into New York from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia. Items affected include yard waste, firewood, wooden crates, nursery stock, fruit and produce. Also included are outdoor articles such as lawn tractors, grills, tarps and vehicles stored outdoors.

People transporting any of the listed items will need documentation of the origin and destination of shipments. The state Department of Agriculture will have compliance checks around the state.

People who visit the infested states are urged to inspect their vehicle for lanternfly egg masses and scrape them off before leaving.