JFP-funded Climate Reporter John Deem Discovers Insect Infestation Outside Contained NC County
Posting: Thursday, July 20, 2023
John Deem reports on environmental topics for The Winston-Salem Journal to keep North Carolinians informed on local climate issues.
I’ve been reporting for more than a year about North Carolina’s only known infestation of the dreaded spotted lanternfly, which is here in Forsyth County. I did an update on July 14 on the continuing efforts by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to eradicate the swarm in the suburban town of Kernersville. There had been no other confirmed local lanternfly sightings outside of Kernersville – until Saturday morning, when a Winston-Salem resident spotted one of the colorful but confounding pests in a tree behind his four-unit apartment building near downtown while walking his dog.
That person was me. I called our chief photographer, and he was onsite within 30 minutes to provide visual evidence. I also alerted my contacts at the state.
John Deem
Climate Reporter
In Kernersville, the lanternflies were attracted by their favorite host – the so-called tree of heaven, an invasive species brought here, like the lanternfly, from China. I have several of the trees in a city right-of-way behind my apartment, and I check them daily for evidence of lanternflies. I’d noticed what I suspected could have been “sooty mold,” a fungus that grows on the goo secreted by lanternflies, on the leaves of sunflowers I planted near the trees. My hunch turned to be right.
The department of agriculture folks came out Tuesday and spent several hours scouring what turned out to be more than 100 trees of heaven on the street behind my building and an adjacent park. They found no more lanternflies, but did see evidence of potential sooty mold, and plan to keep monitoring the area. They also were extremely appreciative for the heads-up.
It was a fascinating experience to write about, and we’ve been invited next week to be the first media outlet allowed to watch the NCDACS apply chemicals to kill the lanternflies in Kernersville (important to note that other insects, birds, etc. aren’t harmed by the treatments).
My new motto: Keep looking up!
Spotted lanternfly, which is infesting the eastern coast of the US.
About WSJ: The Winston-Salem Journal primarily serves Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, North Carolina. It also covers Northwestern North Carolina. Online: www.journalnow.com
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Media Contact: Rusty Coats, Executive Director | rusty@jfp-local.org | (813) 277-8959
