Why This Matters

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The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, is an invasive insect species native to Asia. It was first discovered in the United States in Berks County, Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since spread to New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, New York, Connecticut and Ohio. Cranbury residents should be aware that SLF has been sighted in our Township. This insect has the potential to greatly impact agricultural crops and hardwood trees. SLF feeds on sap from over 70 different plants, including grapevines, maples, black walnut, and other important species in New Jersey. It has a strong preference for economically important plants and the feeding damage significantly stresses the plants which can lead to decreased health and potentially death.

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Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus altissima, is a highly invasive deciduous tree native to China and Taiwan. It was introduced into the US in the 1700’s but is now recognized as a highly invasive plant that releases chemicals in its roots that discourage other plants from growing. What's worse, it is also the preferred breeding ground of the Spotted Lanternfly. Like the SLF, the Tree of Heaven has been sighted in our Township.

On July 30, 2018, Governor Murphy approved an emergency Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine resolution. It's purpose:

"To respond to a situation of imminent peril and serious harm to the agricultural industries, environmental resources, and residential areas of New Jersey, and to minimize further economic damage to the lumber, viticulture, nursery, and tourism industries in the Northeastern United States by the Spotted Lanternfly."

This legislation gives the NJ Department of Agriculture the authority to place counties under quarantine in order to curb the spread of the lanternfly. In February of 2023, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher announced that all counties in New Jersey are under quarantine. As such, per section 2:20-10.7 of the ordinance:

Cranbury residents and businesses are not allowed to move any "regulated articles" out of the State until they complete a Spotted Lanternfly Checklist.
This checklist must be signed and remain with the regulated articles.
Upon request, a copy of the signed checklist must be provided to NJDOA within 3 calendar days by the person possessing the regulated article.

New Jersey Quarantine Restrictions

Quarantine

Other aspects of the quarantine designation worth noting:

The NJDOA is authorized to enter any property (public or private) to inspect and survey for lanternflies, remove or treat host trees, undertake eradication measures and determine compliance.
Property owners may be requested by NJDOA to remove and dispose of host trees, such as Tree of Heaven. The cost of any such removal will be the responsibility of the property owner.
Businesses will be subject to additional requirements, most notably, to obtain training on:
- Inspecting, identifying and eliminating the Spotted Lanternfly;
- Safely packaging and transporting regulated articles;
- Handling and disposal of the by-product of the infestation treatment process.

Click here for a brochure from the Department of Agriculture on what the Spotted Lanternfly quarantine means to you.

Pennsylvania, widely believed to be ground zero for the outbreak, has been waging an all-out war on the Spotted Lanternfly since 2018. The reason, as stated on the Penn State Extension website, is clear:“If not contained, Spotted Lanternfly potentially could drain Pennsylvania’s economy of at least $324 million annually.”