Travelers, industry experts and citizens are being urged to “help protect Vermont’s trees” in a new campaign

PUBLISHED ON 25 August 2024

BURLINGTON, Vermont — The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR), the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM), and UVM Extension are once again warning the public about the threat posed to the state’s trees and ecosystem by non-native, invasive insects. These insects include the spotted lanternfly, which was first discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014 and is slowly spreading northward. Populations are already present in southern New York State and much of Connecticut and Massachusetts. This pest, now invading the environment, is not previously known in Vermont but could easily establish itself here.

A new initiative by FPR, VAAFM and UVM Extension aims to educate gardeners, property managers, landscapers and anyone traveling to Vermont about all three pests, but especially the spotted lanternfly. A new poster, “Help protect Vermont’s trees,” are being posted at visitor centers, state parks, historic sites and other locations throughout the state to raise awareness of the threat posed by these non-native insects and what to look for to prevent their spread. The other two species being targeted in this effort are the Asian ash jewel beetle and the Asian longhorned beetle.

• Spotted Lanternfly – While these non-native invasive pests may become established in the state over time, outdoor recreationists and travelers can do their part now to slow the spread of the spotted lanternfly by checking their equipment and vehicles for ovipositors, nymphs, or adults, especially when traveling from states with active infestations. An interactive map of known infestations in our region can be found at https://go.uvm.edu/lanternflies, along with information on the insect’s life cycle and biology, feeding habits, and control. For more information and pictures of the spotted lanternfly, its nymphs, and ovipositors, visit VTinvasives.org.
• Emerald ash beetle – Infestations by the invasive pest Asian ash beetle (EAB) naturally spread one to two miles annually. However, human transport of ash logs and firewood can transport EAB and other wood pests long distances to uninfested areas, causing ash trees to die at new locations. Although EAB is present in most Vermont counties, its population is small and it has infested only a small percentage of the state’s total ash trees. Attention and care in managing the movement of infested ash material will slow the spread of EAB and allow time for planning, monitoring, and research. For more information and pictures of the Asian ash beetle, visit VTinvasives.org.
• Asian longhorn beetle – This non-native pest has not yet been identified in Vermont. However, our state’s hardwood forests, particularly maple trees, make Vermont an attractive habitat for this beetle, which could severely impact the maple syrup industry. To counteract this threat, the alert urges anyone traveling to or within Vermont to refrain from transporting firewood. Current quarantines prohibit the transport of firewood from known infested areas, but it can take years for an infestation to be discovered. Many of the known infestations have been traced to the transport of firewood. For more information and pictures of the Asian longhorned beetle, visit VTinvasives.org.

The “Help protect Vermont’s trees” Outreach works in collaboration with the Arrive clean, leave clean The campaign, which launched in June, promotes ways to slow the spread of invasive, non-native insects and plants. In addition to checking vehicles for spotted lanternflies, the campaign urges anyone spending time outdoors this summer and fall to clean their equipment and avoid hauling firewood. It is a joint effort between the University of Vermont Extension, the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets.

–Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation