it to flip over. No one was
seriously hurt in this one
either. Another pest is gaining
a foothold here in our state.
We’re talking about the spotted
lanternfly. Check out this photo
that a viewer sent us showing us
a swarm on the Sikorsky Bridge
in Stratford. Experts say
unfortunately, this insect is
here to stay. It’s been a busy
night for our Kevin Gaiss caught
up with experts earlier this
evening to learn about the
threat it could pose to some
local agriculture. The first
place I saw them was at Napoli
Motor in Stratford, about
Milford, about four days ago.
Gerardo Brown only recently
started noticing the new pest on
the block right here. I seen
like about two, but I’ve been
killing them and there was two
on the pier. That was yesterday.
Now smashing them is a daily
routine. When you squash them,
nothing comes out. The city of
Bridgeport has released
information on the pest, asking
residents to report sightings
and smash it if you see it.
Neighboring Fairfield is asking
for the same titling the pest a
primary issue facing the town. I
think we’re moving up into the
next phase because the
populations are suddenly
blooming. Experts say the fly
has been heading northeast for
the last few years, following
the 95 and 91 corridors.
Hitchhiking on cars and trucks.
This is the first year when
we’re really getting a lot of
reports about high populations.
In short, they’re here to stay.
According to Gayle Ridge with
the state’s agricultural
experiment station. She says
they aren’t a major threat to
the state’s forest. They only
stress the trees. The bigger
threat is to local agriculture
because of their appetite for
sap. If they get a good hold,
it’s the winemaking industry,
the grapes, the vineyards, also
orchards and nursery plants as
well. They’re going to be
putting a lot of pressure onto
those, those agricultural
industries. Ridge says the
population will level off when
predators and disease realize
they’re here in numbers, but
that takes a few years, she
cautions people not to panic,
but get used to them. And yes,
you can smash them. They’re very
beautiful, but they’re going to
get into your light. Brown
doesn’t expect his now daily
routine of smashing the fly to
make a big impact, but he’ll
still try. Yeah. Every day.