An insect native to China has made its way to Brooklyn, and now the cargo ship is under quarantine because of the infestation. The spotted lanternfly poses a high risk to crops in the region, reports Gaby Acevedo for NBC New York’s .
Extensive fumigation required
The ship, which came from Philadelphia before stopping at the Red Hook terminal on Monday, will need to be extensively fumigated after an inspection upon arrival found it to be carrying the spotted lanternfly.
Hitchhike and devours fruit trees
An ecology professor told that the brightly colored bug, known by its red hind wings, yellow tone and dark spots along the wings, is native to China.
Professor added that they pose a high risk to plants that can hitchhike very well and devours fruit trees.
Matthew Helmus, an Assistant Professor of Ecology at Temple University said that they were all trying to figure out how to stop them. He added they lay eggs on things, on cars and anything outdoors.
Counties with special quarantine
Eight counties in New Jersey are under special quarantine to prevent the spotted lanternfly from spreading, and New York is under a high risk threat from the insect as well.
There is a passenger cruise ship also docked at the Red Hook terminal, but Port Authority says there is no impact from the quarantined ship, the “Acrux X” to any other vessel.
Origin not known yet
It is not yet clear when Customs and Border Control will release the ship from quarantine.
In a statement to NBC New York, a Customs spokesman said that the origin of the insect that arrived on Monday is not known, and that specialists with the department are “on the scene eradicating this pest threat.”
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Source: NBC New York
