What is the spotted lantern fly and why it's bad?
The spotted lantern fly is an invasive species from Asia. It is eating trees and fruits at a very unnatural speed because it does not have natural predators. It is causing forests and crops to be wiped out. Since it eats produce it has been devastating fields affecting agriculture in Pennsylvania. Recently it has started appearing in New Jersey along the Delaware River boarder. As it reaches New Jersey it will start affecting the crops and agriculture of here. If it affects the crops we would lose local farms. It has the potential to destroy local forests. This project will be helpful because it will put a dent in the reproduction of the spotted lantern fly in the Mercer County area where it has already been spotted frequently.

My project is to:
- build and distribute (through the Mercer County Park system) 150-200 kits that trap the spotted lantern fly. These kits will be provided to local people to help them prevent the reproductive life cycle of the spotted lantern fly which starts in early Spring

- together with the Mercer County Park system we will be filming an educational video about the spotted lantern fly and proper installation of the traps that they will distribute through their email.

- build several traps to have on display at the Mercer County Park so that people can learn about the spotted lantern fly and why help to stop the spread.

- stay in contact with the park to track how many traps have been distributed.