Lanternflies Destroying Grape Crop Causing Wine Prices To Rise

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There is an insect out there that health experts in the United States want you to kill on site.

Lanternfly USDA photo by Lance Cheung

The Spotted Lantern Fly.

The Spotted what? The Lantern who? This insect looks like a beautiful moth.

Lanternfly mid USDA photo by Stephen Ausmus

Don’t be fooled. This creature destroys trees, landscapes, and plants. It can cause millions of dollars in damages. Rutgers experts say the Spotted Lantern Fly came from China. It arrived in the US in crates.

USDA photo by Lance Cheung

These creatures do not fly but hop onto surfaces. They are known as hitchhikers. Rutgers says they were first spotted in Pennsylvania. Rutgers says this species is a very good hitchhiker. Most people don't even know that they've got them until the adult form comes out.

Newsbreak reports the positive news about the insect is that they can't harm humans or pets.

However, they are known to feed on over 70 different types of trees, plants and now grape harvests are affected. They cause millions of dollars worth of damage.

Rutgers says the Spotted Lantern Fly secretes a sticky material known as honeydew, which is very high in sugar. It is a substitute for mold, and when it gets on plants, it prevents them from surviving.

Newsbreak reports “it’s sort of like Pandora's box of problems. There are numerous ways to kill them, including the use of pesticides or simply crushing them. Extreme heat or cold also does the trick.”

The experts say the first thing you should do if you spot the Lantern Fly, is kill it. We have been warned.

Michael Spain Facebook

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If you live in Alabama and don't know what this is, you probably should start getting educated.

We are under assault by a deadly and invasive creature.

Getty Images

GATORS!

They have been showing up everywhere lately.

Fox 13 new Tampa

They've even come up as far north as Huntsville, AL.

Huntsville PD

Just a random gator crossing the road, nothing to see here. NOT!

I'm worried these giants are getting way too close for comfort.

We even have a gator hunting season here in Alabama now.

Earlier today Michael Spain posted this photo.

Michael Spain Facebook

I had no idea what I was looking at.

I was shocked to find out this is a gator nest! Not just a gator nest, but a gator nest right here in Alabama.

Michael Spain said in his post

"This is an alligator nest, I thought I might share it with the group. This was taken at Alligator Alley, a home for nuisance alligators in Alabama, but they are allowed to be Gators here."

How terrifying? You have to know mama is never far away.

William Roy McAnelly Jr. facebook

I don't know about the rest of you, but I want no part of the future gators in this nest. We have to start getting this gator population under control here in the great state of Alabama. I have no desire to fish alligators out of our pools, creeks, lakes, and where ever else.

Ray Allen/TSM

Keep an eye out for these alligators' nests. They are usually near the bank and have a large pile of debris.

DON'T FORGET TO KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR MAMA, SHE DOESN'T PLAY.