ASIAN LANTERNFLY INVASION---'KILL IT--SQUASH IT---SMASH IT---JUST GET RID OF IT"

Yes your editor has been largely spared but has now seen these admittedly "pretty pests" on three separate occasions. The Shop Vac was handy at the time and made short work of the problem. That's not always an option......

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has publicly told locals to: 'Kill it. Squash it, smash it. Just get rid of it.'

The urgent warning stems from spotted lanternflies feeding on the sap of more than 70 kinds of plants, including wine-producing grapevines, which are among the most vulnerable to these infestations.

Heavy feeding stresses plants, causing serious crop loss, especially for vineyards producing grapes.

These insects are native to parts of Asia, particularly China, Vietnam and India, but are believed to have made their way to the US a decade ago in cargo ships carrying imported goods such as wooden furniture or plants. MORE AT Insidious pests spread to 22 states as Americans are told to 'kill on sight' | Daily Mail Online