Schumer: Invasive spotted lanternflies could be hiding in LI Christmas trees

<p>Schumer says eggs of the spotted lanternfly could devastate local crops at parks, farms and vineyards.</p>

News 12 Staff

Dec 17, 2018, 10:32 AM

Updated 2,188 days ago

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U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer was in Nassau County Monday morning to warn about an invasive bug that may have hitched rides to Long Island on cut Christmas trees brought in from out of state.
Schumer says eggs of the spotted lanternfly could devastate local crops at parks, farms and vineyards.
The spotted lanternfly was found at a Deer Park nursery this fall.
Schumer, who was joined by Nassau and Suffolk officials in Garden City, is calling for an additional $17.5 million in federal funding to stop the spread of the invasive bug in New York.
Seth Fiddle, owner of Garden World in Franklin Square, says his business has taken precautions such as getting its trees from Canada.
Officials say the bug has also been found in upstate New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Anyone who thinks they have seen a spotted lanternfly is urged to contact the Department of Environmental Conservation.