The Pennsylvania iMapInvasives program has issued citizen-science challenges for the following two months that will help identify and map spotted lanternfly in Pennsylvania, writes Marcus Schneck for the Lehigh Valley Live.

iMapInvasives is an online data management system based on a geographic information system that is used to help citizen scientists and natural resource professionals protect natural resources from various invasive species such as spotted lanternfly.

The first challenge, which will be held in July, will focus on water chestnuts. Participants will be asked to look for and report the presence as well as the absence of the invasive species.

Prior to the challenge, a webinar will be held on June 24 as a prerequisite to participating. Participants will learn how to identify water chestnuts and how to enter findings into the program.

The August challenge will focus on identifying and reporting specific invasive species – including spotted lanternfly – as part of a scavenger hunt hosted by the Pennsylvania iMapInvasives program.

A July 23 webinar will introduce the scavenger hunt and it is also a prerequisite to participating in the month-long challenge.

Read more about the challenges at the Lehigh Valley Live by clicking here.

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Top photo credit: yumievriwan Lantern fly via photopin (license)