Indiana DNR nursery inspectors are reminding Hoosiers to check all purchased natural holiday décor for hitchhiking invasive pest species.
The DNR says to look closely at Christmas tree trunks for egg masses of the invasive spotted lanternfly (SPL) and spongy moth.
“These devastating pests can cause tree mortality and threaten loss of revenue to the timber and wine industry,” the DNR said on its Facebook page. “Both species are now present within Indiana and have the potential to spread to new areas of the state clinging to natural plant material.”
Keep up to date with new and unusual findings, pest trends, and division events by subscribing to the Entomology Weekly Review email newsletter at dnr.IN.gov/entomology/entomology-weekly-review/. Indiana residents are encouraged to report any suspicious pests to the Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology, learn how here on.IN.gov/report-invasives.
Left photo: Christmas tree – Check live trees for hidden pest species. Top right photo: SLF eggmass – Gray egg mass on truck of tree. Bottom right photo: Spongy moth eggmass – Spongy moth brown fuzzy egg mass on trunk of tree.