The spotted lanternfly continues to plague northeastern Maryland, leading the state secretary of agriculture to extend a quarantine order first issued two years ago for Harford and Cecil counties.

The Maryland Extension Service and the Maryland Department of Agriculture urge residents to report lanternfly sightings and take steps to reduce the spread of the invasive sap-feeding plant pests.

"The spotted lanternfly is on the move this year," says Kenton Sumpter, the MDA entomologist leading the state's lanternfly response. "Last year, we saw them largely confined to Cecil and Harford counties, as well as Hagerstown city. This year we have seen expansions into Kent County, (and) the Hagerstown population has moved south toward Boonsboro and Keedysville."

Spotted lanternfly is considered a major threat to Maryland's agricultural industries, affecting grapes, peaches, apples, walnut oaks and pines.

One approach the Department of Agriculture is using to slow the spread of the spotted lanternfly is to issue quarantines.

A quarantine requires businesses and government agencies to acquire permits to move certain items known to harbor the destructive insect, such as landscaping, remodeling and construction materials.

"For residents, we urge everyone to check their personal vehicles for hitchhiking lanternflies and to be cautious when moving any materials that could potentially contain the insects, such as cut wood, pallets, trailers, stone and boxes," Sumpter said. Learn more at this link. Gaithersburg Patch