John Fetterman

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced a bill to combat the invasive spotted lanternfly.

The legislation would designate the insect as a high-priority research initiative for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Spotted lanternflies threaten Pennsylvania's economy by damaging critical crops like grapevines, apples, and peaches.

In a bipartisan effort, U.S. Sens. John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania, and Dave McCormick, R-Pennsylvania, are turning their attention to spotted lanternflies and the potentially devastating effects the invasive insect could have on the state's economy.

The two recently joined U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, to introduce legislation focusing on the spotted lanternfly.

Here's what the bill would do if it passes.

Fetterman, McCormick aim to prioritize spotted lanternfly research

Under the Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act, the spotted lanternfly would be designated as a high-priority research initiative for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

For both Fetterman and McCormick, the issue centers largely on how Pennsylvania's farmers have been impacted by the invasive insect.

"Spotted lanternflies have ravaged crops that are critical to Pennsylvania’s economy including grapevines, apples, peaches, hops and more," Fetterman said in a press release from his office. "For over a decade, they have cost the Commonwealth millions of dollars and thousands of jobs. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan bill to combat this invasive species and protect our farmers."

McCormick echoed a similar sentiment, saying it's "concerning that (farmers') hard work is at risk of being eaten away by pests."

"By investing in research to combat spotted lanternflies, this bill will help protect our farms, strengthen our agricultural economy and better control this invasive species," McCormick said.

How common are spotted lanternflies in Pittsburgh?

Allegheny County has been under lanternfly quarantine for several years. In 2025, it had the highest number of reported spotted lanternfly sightings of any county in Pennsylvania, with 211 out of 765 statewide reports, the Pittsburgh Post‑Gazette reported. The insect was first found in Pennsylvania in Berks County in 2014 and have since spread to 51 of 67 counties, including to Allegheny in 2020. In 2023, the number of reports statewide reached 38,947, though they've declined since then.

Economists at Penn State estimate that, if left unchecked, the spotted lanternfly could cost the state's economy at least $324 million annually. That's because the spotted lanternfly stresses plants by feeding on their sap, with a strong preference for economically important plants like grapevines, maple trees, black walnut, birch, willow and other trees, according to Penn State. They also excrete a sugary substance that promotes the growth of sooty mold, which can damage plants, according to Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

What to do if you see a spotted lanternfly

If you see a spotted lanternfly, you should report it to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture through their online portal or by calling 1-888-4BADFLY. The department also says to kill the insects to prevent them from reproducing.

According to the state department of agriculture, an adult spotted lanternfly is about one and a half inches wide at rest, with a gray forewing that features black spots and wingtips with a black and gray reticulated pattern. The back wings have patches of red and black with a white band. The lanternfly's legs and head are black, while the abdomen is yellow with broad black bands.

Spotted lanternfly nymphs are either black with white spots or feature red patches, depending on the stage of their development.