(FORT WAYNE) - Indiana wildlife officials are urging residents to help stop the spread of the invasive spotted lanternfly by destroying egg masses before they hatch this spring.
The insects have been confirmed in several counties across northeast Indiana, with Huntington County reporting the highest concentration in the state, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Officials say late winter is the most effective time to act because the pests are currently in their egg stage. Female lanternflies lay rows of eggs that resemble small kernels of wheat and cover them with a protective coating that can look like mud or putty.
As the season progresses, the coating dries and cracks, making the egg masses easier to identify.
The eggs can be found on a wide variety of outdoor surfaces, including tree trunks, rocks, plywood and even vehicles. Experts recommend scraping or crushing the eggs with tools such as sticks or putty knives. When temperatures are above 40 degrees, certain horticultural oils can also be used to smother them.
Spotted lanternflies typically hatch in April or May. Young insects are black with white spots, later developing red coloration before becoming gray as adults with distinctive red wings.
State officials warn the species poses a significant threat to agriculture and native plants and ask the public to report sightings to help track the infestation.