Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Spotted Lantern Fly Trio

Three Spotted Lantern Flies sitting on a branch on a bush in our yard. There were a bunch of these hanging out in the bush and I had never seen anything like that insect. When I approached the bush they were very slow moving. Then I remembered we had very recently been sent an email alert by the state (NJ) to submit photos and location information if we ever spotted one. They are trying to track them since this is a very invasive and destructive insect and fairly new to our state. As they (NJ Sate) said in the alert "...pest poses a significant threat to New Jersey;s agricultural business and economy.." I took this photograph and sent it to the state. I really liked this photo because it conveys how they were just hanging out and socializing on a nice summer day. As an side note that means we are under a second quarantine (Covid-19 being the first)in 202. According to the state - we must now check our vehicles before driving into another county!

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2020
Date Uploaded: 09.2020
Photo Location: Far Hills, New Jersey, United States of America
Camera: iPhone XS Max
Copyright: © Kate Creegan