Six Michigan Counties Issued Urgent Warning: Squish This Bug

Alright, Michigan, we have an assignment from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), and to be honest, it's brutal but vital for the health of our state's ecosystem. According to the Great Lakes State farm watchdogs, we have been charged not only with watching out for the invasive spotted lanternfly but also with squishing it.

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The good news: it doesn't bite people or pets. The bad news: it can turn patios, gardens, vineyards, trees, and outdoor spaces into sticky, moldy, bug-covered yuck.

Why Michigan Should Care

A close look at a spotted lanternfly on the back of a wooden chair. — Photo Credit: Scott Clow / Canva

Spotted lanternflies feed on tree-of-heaven, grapevines, black walnut, river birch, willow, sumac, red maple, and plenty of other plants Michigan would rather keep alive and not wearing bug syrup.

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As they feed, they leave behind honeydew, a sticky liquid that can grow black sooty mold, discolor plants, attract flies and yellow jackets, and make your patio furniture feel like it lost a fight with a gas station bathroom floor.

See It, Squish It, Report It

The exterior of a building in downtown Pittsburg with piles of living and dead spotted lanternflies stacking up on the abandoned revolving door. — Scott Clow

MDARD's marching orders are simple. If you see a spotted lanternfly in Jackson, Lenawee, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, or Wayne County, squish it. No report needed. The state already knows those populations are there.

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Anywhere else in Michigan? Take a photo, note the date, time, and location, then report it through MDARD's Eyes in the Field tool. Nymphs are black with white spots, later turning red and black. Adults show up from August through October, about an inch long, with spotted tan wings and bright red hiding underneath. See one, squish it. You have the state's permission.

Identifying Michigan 18 Snake Species

Snakes in Michigan live basically everywhere and mostly eat the stuff you don’t want around your house anyway. They avoid humans, don’t chase, and bites are rare when left alone. Here's a look at the 18 species of snakes living in the Mitten, along with some facts about them from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

Fierce and Adorable: The 10 Turtle Species of Michigan

Michigan's guide to the 10 turtle species found throughout the state. From the state reptile to the Mitten States largest, this list covers every species from Box to Snapper.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow