密歇根新闻广播 底特律磷蜡蝉成灾

Invasive species can cause major damage to an ecosystem¹. They compete with native flora² and fauna³ for resources, and often lack any natural predators⁴ to control their populations.

Michigan biologists are monitoring one invasive insect that isn't yet in Michigan, but will likely make its way to the state at some point.

It's called the spotted⁵ lanternfly. The largest population to date is in Pennsylvania, but the colorful insect has also been spotted in a few nearby states.

Heather Leach⁶ works with the Department of Entomology at Penn State University, and she joined Stateside to talk about this extremely destructive insect.

What is the spotted lanternfly and how did it get here?

The spotted lanternfly is native to various parts of Asia.

It has a very cryptic⁷ egg stage, and so we believe it was imported here on stone, and nobody noticed it until it was able to hatch out in the spring and start feeding on our plants here, Leach said.

What does it look like?

The spotted lanternfly could easily be mistaken for a moth⁸, but it's actually classified as a planthopper. It bears distinctive⁹ marks at most stages of its life cycle.

Both in the nymph stage and in the adult stage, they're bright red in some cases, and have these very iridescent¹⁰ white spots in other cases, Leach said.

What kind of damage does the spotted lanternfly cause?

This piercing-sucking insect feeds on sap and sucks the nutrients¹¹ out of practically any kind of species of tree and plant, Leach says.

Researchers in Pennsylvania are concerned about the insect's effect on ornamental¹² and landscape trees, and on forest regeneration. But vineyards are where they've seen the worst economic damage so far caused by lanternfly infestation¹³.

We're seeing an almost 200% increase in insecticide application costs from spotted lanternfly alone, just in the past two years. So per acre costs, it's gone from $54 to $147 an acre for these grape growers to actually try to maintain control and keep spotted lanternfly from damaging their vineyards, Leach explained.

What can you do to help?

Leach says that it's important to stay aware of the possibility that spotted lanternflies could one day show up in your community.

Next time you go out on a hike, next time you go to the lakes, take a look and try to find this insect. And if you do see it, report it to the Michigan Department of Agriculture, Leach said.

(The state has instructions for reporting a spotted lanternfly sighting here.)

This post was written by Stateside production assistant Isabella Isaacs-Thomas.

1 ecosystem   

n.生态系统

参考例句：

• This destroyed the ecosystem of the island.这样破坏了岛上的生态系统。
• We all have an interest in maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem.维持生态系统的完整是我们共同的利益。

2 flora   

n.(某一地区的)植物群

参考例句：

• The subtropical island has a remarkably rich native flora.这个亚热带岛屿有相当丰富的乡土植物种类。
• All flora need water and light.一切草木都需要水和阳光。

3 fauna   

n.(一个地区或时代的)所有动物，动物区系

参考例句：

• This National Park is an area with unique fauna and flora.该国家公园区域内具有独特的动物种群和植物种群。
• Fauna is a biological notion means all the animal life in a particular region or period. 动物群是一个生物学的概念，指的是一个特定时期或者地区的所有动物。

4 predators   

n.食肉动物( predator的名词复数 )；奴役他人者（尤指在财务或性关系方面）

参考例句：

• birds and their earthbound predators 鸟和地面上捕食它们的动物
• The eyes of predators are highly sensitive to the slightest movement. 捕食性动物的眼睛能感觉到最细小的动静。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 spotted   

adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的

参考例句：

• The milkman selected the spotted cows,from among a herd of two hundred.牛奶商从一群200头牛中选出有斑点的牛。
• Sam's shop stocks short spotted socks.山姆的商店屯积了有斑点的短袜。

6 leach   

v.分离，过滤掉；n.过滤；过滤器

参考例句：

• Liquid water can leach soluble materials from the interface.液态水能够从界面溶解出可溶性物质。
• They believe that the humic materials are leached from decaying plant materials.他们认为腐植物料是从腐烂的植物体浸沥而来。

7 cryptic   

adj.秘密的，神秘的，含义模糊的

参考例句：

• She made a cryptic comment about how the film mirrored her life.她隐晦地表示说这部电影是她人生的写照。
• The new insurance policy is written without cryptic or mysterious terms.新的保险单在编写时没有隐秘条款或秘密条款。

8 moth   

n.蛾，蛀虫

参考例句：

• A moth was fluttering round the lamp.有一只蛾子扑打着翅膀绕着灯飞。
• The sweater is moth-eaten.毛衣让蛀虫咬坏了。

9 distinctive   

adj.特别的，有特色的，与众不同的

参考例句：

• She has a very distinctive way of walking.她走路的样子与别人很不相同。
• This bird has several distinctive features.这个鸟具有几种突出的特征。

10 iridescent   

adj.彩虹色的，闪色的

参考例句：

• The iridescent bubbles were beautiful.这些闪着彩虹般颜色的大气泡很美。
• Male peacocks display their iridescent feathers for prospective female mates.雄性孔雀为了吸引雌性伴侣而展现了他们彩虹色的羽毛。

11 nutrients   

n.（食品或化学品）营养物，营养品( nutrient的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a lack of essential nutrients 基本营养的缺乏
• Nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. 营养素被吸收进血液。 来自《简明英汉词典》

12 ornamental   

adj.装饰的；作装饰用的；n.装饰品；观赏植物

参考例句：

• The stream was dammed up to form ornamental lakes.溪流用水坝拦挡起来,形成了装饰性的湖泊。
• The ornamental ironwork lends a touch of elegance to the house.铁艺饰件为房子略添雅致。

13 infestation   

n.侵扰，蔓延

参考例句：

• The premises were treated for cockroach infestation.因蟑螂成灾，这些房屋集中进行了灭蟑活动。
• Parts of California are suffering from an infestation of oriental fruit flies.加利福尼亚的部分地区正遭受东方果蝇的大肆侵袭。