(Trenton, NJ) -- New Jersey is dealing with a bug that could infect some Christmas trees this holiday season. The tree-killing insect known as the Spotted Lantern Fly has been spotted in Hunterdon, Mercer and Warren counties.
The insect, native to eastern Asia, first appeared in the U.S four years ago. Experts say the bug is known to attach itself to the bark of a Christmas tree and lay its eggs and multiply. The insect feeds on the tree's sap and leaves behind a sugary substance that encourages fungal growth which weakens plants.
The insect has also been found in some counties in New York so the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets & the State Department of Environmental Conservation have issued a quarantine restricting certain plant products and other items being brought into New York from New Jersey and three other states where the insect is established.
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