Montgomery Parks announces April virtual speaker series: Tracking the Spotted Lanternfly: On the Trail of the Destructive Insect

The session takes place Tuesday, April 25, from 11:00 a.m.- noon, featuring entomologist Kenton Sumpter on the threat the spotted lanternfly poses to plants in Maryland. 
 

WHEATON, Md. – Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is hosting its April virtual speaker series on the spotted lanternfly. Maryland Department of Agriculture entomologist Kenton Sumpter will discuss the problems the lanternfly poses, and how residents can identify and combat the insect spread in our area. 

WHAT: Montgomery Parks Virtual Speaker Series: Tracking the Spotted Lanternfly  

WHO: The event is free and open to all. 

WHEN: Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 11:00 a.m.- Noon  

WHERE:       The session will be held online. Registration is available via this online form: Spotted Lanternfly registration 
A Zoom link will be sent to registrants the day before the session. 

The spotted lanternfly is a non-native, invasive, sap-eating insect that is considered a nuisance to humans and a threat to plants. Thousands of them can swarm on trees and structures, leaving behind a sticky residue. The lanternfly feeds on over 80 plant species including trees, fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. It was first found in Maryland in 2018 in Cecil County. It has now spread to 18 counties including Montgomery County, Md. 

About the Speaker: 
Kenton Sumpter is an entomologist with the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Plant Protection and Weed Management Spotted Lanternfly Program. He graduated from Frostburg State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries. He holds a Master’s degree in Entomology from Virginia Tech.   

About Montgomery Parks      
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 420 parks. Montgomery Parks is a department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems. MontgomeryParks.org  

Accessibility     
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or ProgramAccess@MontgomeryParks.org to request a disability modification. Visit Montgomery Parks Accessibility for more information.   

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