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America's wine supply in serious danger after invasive species hitchhikes from New York to California
An invasive species that hitchhiked from New York to California could endanger wine production in the US.
Officials recently found spotted lanternfly egg masse on a metal art installation headed to Sonoma County, marking the first sighting of the insects in the Golden State.
The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) has warned the eggs are likely to produce adult insects in the coming weeks that have ‘the potential to affect the entire winegrape industry.’
The Asian native insects, which destroy crops, can kill vines which would result in higher prices across the US as California is responsible for about 80 percent of the nation's total wine production.
California is responsible for about 80 percent of the nation's total wine production
Natalie Collins, president of CAWG, said: ‘This is essentially a public service announcement to raise awareness of how to identify a spotted lanternfly and the immediate action to take if discovered.
‘Spotted lanternflies have been found in 18 states and have proven to pose a serious threat to vineyards.
‘These invasive insects feed on the sap of grapevines, while also leaving behind a sticky honeydew residue on the clusters and leaves.
‘Their activities stress the plants, decrease vine health, and in some cases, can lead to plant death.’
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a warning in March regarding spotted lanternfly eggs, which look like spongy brown masses that stick to cars, trees and most hard surfaces.
USDA officials advise scraping the eggs off the surface, putting them in a plastic bag, and throwing the bag in the trash - this will ensure none survive.
Nymphs typically emerge from eggs in the summer and grow to adulthood by the fall, which is when California's wine harvest season takes place.
Spotted lanternflies are known to feast on more than 70 types of plants and leave a black resin behind that weakens vegetation.
Pennsylvania was the first to detect the insect in 2014 and just five years later, the one-inch insect was found to cost the state $50.1 million annually.
Officials recently found spotted lanternfly egg masse on a metal art installation headed to Sonoma County, one of California’s most esteemed wine regions, marking the first sighting of the invasive insects in the Sunshine State
Now, California officials fear the presence of the insect could destroy its iconic wineries.
A border protection station detected 11 viable egg masses while inspecting a 30-foot-tall art installation shipped from New York where the spotted lanternflies have already made a permanent home.
The discovery was made in March, but the CAWG made the announcement on June 10.
Staff rejected the shipment, rerouting it to Nevada where an additional 30 egg masses were found.
The art was then power washed with detergent and then sent on its way again to California, according to the association.
However, when the art reached Sonoma County on April 4 officials found three more egg masses tucked inside the hallow beams.
A border protection station detected 11 viable egg masses while inspecting a 30-foot-tall art installation shipped from New York where the spotted lanternflies have already made a permanent home
The other states plagued by infestations include Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Virginia and West Virginia.
The spotted lanternfly is believed to have came to the US as egg masses on a stone shipment that originated in China.
Both nymphs and adults of spotted lanternfly cause damage when they feed, sucking sap from stems and branches. This can reduce photosynthesis, weaken the plant, and eventually contribute to the plant's death.
In addition, feeding can cause the plant to ooze or weep, resulting in a fermented odor, and the insects themselves excrete large amounts of fluid that is called honeydew.
These fluids promote mold growth and attract other insects.