
Illinois’ First Infestation of Spotted Lanternfly Confirmed
Clip: 9/27/2023 | 3m 55sVideo has Closed Captions
The invasive species is capable of devastating trees and agriculture.
The insect was found in the Fuller Park neighborhood of Chicago. The pest damages plants as it sucks sap from branches, stems and tree trunks.
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Illinois’ First Infestation of Spotted Lanternfly Confirmed
Clip: 9/27/2023 | 3m 55sVideo has Closed Captions
The insect was found in the Fuller Park neighborhood of Chicago. The pest damages plants as it sucks sap from branches, stems and tree trunks.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>>> GOOD THING IT ISN'T FLIP-FLOP WEATHER ANYMORE AS A NEW INVASIVE SPECIES CALLED THE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY HAS LANDED IN CHICAGO AND OFFICIALS TELL RESIDENTS TO STOMP AND SQUASH IF THEY COME ACROSS THE BUG .
OUR NEWS REPORTER JOINS WITH MORE .
TELL US ABOUT THE SPOTTED LANTERN FLY AND WHERE THEY COULD BE.
>> WE HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THEY ARE IN THE FULLER PARK NEIGHBORHOOD, THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL CONFIRMED THAT.
THEY ALSO REPORTED LAKEVIEW AND I'VE SEEN A REPORT NEAR FINANCIAL PLAZA.
THIS IS AN INVASIVE PEST FROM CHINA THAT WAS FIRST FOUND IN THE U.S.
IN 2014 IN PENNSYLVANIA.
IT'S BEEN MAKING ITS WAY WEST.
>> WAS A SURPRISE TO EVERYONE THAT THEY SHOWED UP HERE?
>> YOU HAVE OFFICIALS, STATE, LOCAL, AND FEDERAL.
ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY THEY'VE BEEN WATCHING THIS MOVE FROM PENNSYLVANIA, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, MARYLAND, OHIO, INDIANA, MICHIGAN.
WE ARE ON THE MARCH.
THAT IS THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THEY ARE PREPARED FOR IT TO COME IN.
>> WHY DOES THIS HAS TO STRIKE SUCH FEAR INTO THE HEARTS OF AGRICULTURALISTS.
>> IT IS ASAP SOCCER AND IT LIKES TO FEED ON TREES AND IT WILL ALSO FEED ON OATS OR MAPLE SO THE CONCERN ORIGINALLY WAS FOR CHERRIES, PEACH TREES, THINGS LIKE THAT THAT COULD MAKE THE TREES WEAKER.
IT'S NOT A KILLER.
NOT IN THE SAME WAY OF LIKE --.
>> WE HAD THE EMERALD ASH AND SO HOW HEALTHY ARE THE TREES THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND STATE AND OUR BELOVED TREE CANOPY HERE?
>> IT WON'T HIT IT LIKE SOME OTHER PATHOGENS.
I SPOKE WITH STEPHANIE ADAMS THE PLANT I'LL JUST AT THE ARBORIO.
SHE SAID IT'S NOT A KILLER.
WE AS HUMANS, YOU COULD SEE VIDEOS FROM PLACES LIKE PITTSBURGH WHERE IT'S MASSIVE VOLUMES.
SHE SAID IT LOOKS LIKE A TREE TRUNK IS JUST CRAWLING AND IT COULD BE COVERING SIDEWALKS.
SO THERE'S A YUCK FACTOR .
>> THEY ARE TELLING PEOPLE TO STOP AND SQUISH , BASICALLY KILLING THESE THINGS?
>> YES.
WE WILL GET TO A POINT WHERE IT'S LAKE IN PENNSYLVANIA WHERE IT'S TIME THAT THEY MULTIPLY BEFORE ANYONE KNEW WHAT THEY WERE LOOKING AT SO WE NEED TO DO OUR JOB BY SQUASHING THE ADULTS, IDENTIFYING THE JUVENILES WHICH WILL HAVE PHOTOS OF, ALSO KNOW WHAT THE EGGS LOOK LIKE BECAUSE IF YOU COULD GET THE EGGS THEN YOU HAVE KILLED THE NEXT GENERATION OF THEM AND THEY COULD LITERALLY LAY EGGS ANYWHERE.
ON HER MAILBOX, GARBAGE DUMPSTER, THEY COME IN ON THINGS LIKE WOODEN PALLETS WHICH IS A WAY THAT THEY WOULD BE TRANSPORTED ACROSS THE COUNTRY BECAUSE THEY JUMP FROM RAILROADS AND ONTO THE TREE OF HEAVEN WHICH IS A VERY INVASIVE PLANT THAT LINES RAILROADS AND IT JUMPS OFF IMMEDIATELY AND CLIMBS UP INTO IT TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT.
IT'S A TOTAL PEST INVASION GOING ON SO GET RID OF TREE OF HEAVEN, GET RID OF EGG, STOMP THE ADULT, STOMP THE JUVENILES.
>> WE CAN DO IT.
>> ALL RIGHT WILL REST IN PEACE TO THE SPOTTED
Meet a Local Champion of Artists With Disabilities
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: 9/27/2023 | 4m 19s | Visual artist Matt Bodett said his work gives him a voice. (4m 19s)
Spotlight Politics: Larry Snelling Sworn in as Top Cop
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Clip: 9/27/2023 | 8m 50s | The WTTW News Spotlight Politics team breaks down the day's biggest headlines. (8m 50s)
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