(CNN) — Quarantine Wearing You Out? Imagine how New Jerseyans feel.
In addition to a series of restrictions by the coronavirus, state authorities have put eight counties under additional quarantine for an invasive, exotic insect known as the spotted lanternfly.
The insect, originally from China and South Korea, represents a risk for more than 70 species of plants, including fruit trees, vegetables and vines. It was first detected in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 2014.
Spotted lantern flies hail from China and are expert travelers.
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Residents of quarantined counties – Warren, Hunterdon, Mercer, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem and Somerset – are urged to inspect their cars for the bug before leaving, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture said in a statement on August 12.
The spotted lanternfly is an “excellent hitchhiker” known for its ability to travel quickly by clinging to vehicles. It is believed that he traveled from China to Pennsylvania in a shipment.
“We have been working diligently to slow down the advance of this insect,” Department Secretary Douglas Fisher said in the statement.
“We are targeting areas where serious infestations have been confirmed and we also encourage residents to destroy the spotted lanternfly if possible when they see it. It will take a combined effort to help prevent this pest from spreading. ‘
Several crews across New Jersey are working in areas where the bug has been detected. Treatments focus on the tree of heaven, which is preferred by the spotted lanternfly and believed to need it to reproduce.
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