Things might be looking up in the fight against spotted lanternfly, as a new biopesticide tested by researchers in areas of Norristown Farm Park over the summer is showing promise as an effective weapon against the relentless pest, writes Mark Abrams for the KYW Newsradio.

According to Heather Leach, spotted lanternfly specialist at Penn State’s entomology department in State College, a fungal pathogen used in July successfully killed spotted lanternfly nymphs at the park.

“When we first did this, we found about two weeks after we sprayed we had a 50% reduction in population in those plots,” Leach said.

She added that the biopesticide does not affect humans or animals. It also does not affect streams and other bodies of water or the fish in them.

The spray is most effective when used against the nymphs, but a spraying of an adult infestation also killed a number of them.

Leach said the next step is a wider application of the spray.

“Can we also do this in people’s backyards or in vineyards to get control of the population that way?” Leach asked. “We do see this as an option going forward.“

Read more about the biopesticide at the KYW Newsradio by clicking here.