MELeaf: A Newsletter From the Horticulture Program, March 22, 2023
In this issue:
Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive and destructive pest that threatens agricultural commodities and trade throughout the US. It has a wide and varied host range and can be a significant nuisance to our quality of life and enjoyment of the outdoors. Though not known to be found in Maine, preventing its introduction is the most critical step in reducing risk of spotted lanternfly becoming established.
Preparing for incoming plant material
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Find out or ask your supplier if they are in an area with established SLF.
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Utilize the SLF Quarantine Map for details of quarantined counties across the United States.
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States with established populations of SLF: CT, DE, IN, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, WV.
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Ask your supplier if they have a permit to transport plants and hardgoods out of the quarantine area. If you are doing the transporting, you will need training and a permit.
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If you use a broker, ask if they use companies that are aware of SLF and have permits.
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Ask about their SLF inspection and management program.
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Ask how they train their staff to find and destroy living life stages and egg masses.
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When possible, delay plant shipments until June to allow SLF eggs to hatch in the quarantine area and not at your nursery.
 Inspect plants as they arrive at the nursery for spotted lanternfly
Upon arrival of plant material
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Identify a SLF inspection area to keep newly arrived plants, supplies, and hardgoods in a quarantine area separate from the rest of your materials.
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Train your staff to identify life stages (especially egg masses) and the SLF life cycle. Egg masses on nursery stock are common in states that have SLF. Learn to identify egg masses.
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Inspect plants, supplies, and hardgoods from SLF quarantine areas prior to offering them for sale and before they are intermingled with other plants.
If spotted lanternfly are discovered during inspection
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If you discover any life stage of SLF during inspection, you have the right to reject delivery and have it returned to the shipper. Cover or enclose the product to prevent escape and spread. Take photos of your observation.
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Immediately notify the Horticulture Program by emailing photos and details to horticulture@maine.gov
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Maintain customer and supplier information.
 SLF lay their eggs on any surface, including plants. Egg masses are difficult to spot, check incoming shipments in the spring carefully.
This item comes to us courtesy of University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Businesses and organizations interested in hosting a Maine Horticulture Apprentice are encouraged to sign up for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Horticulture Apprentice Host interest list.
Participants in the Maine Horticulture Apprentice Training are currently completing a 3-part, comprehensive curriculum designed to supply them with a foundational horticulture education suitable for skilled entry-level positions in the horticulture industry. Developed with input from industry leaders, this program prepares learners with the practical knowledge and skills desired by employers.
There are several benefits to hosting a Maine Horticulture Apprentice Trainee, including opportunities to:
- hire an apprentice who has received training on a number of horticulture topics
- work with someone who has shown interest in and dedication to entering the field of horticulture
- support the next generation of the horticulture workforce in Maine.
Suitable Apprenticeship Hosts include: landscaping businesses, nurseries (public facing or wholesale), farms, non-profits (botanical, community and school gardens, etc.) and groundskeeper positions. Apprentice opportunities can be paid or volunteer positions so long as they are in alignment with the Fair Labor Standards.
More information and the interest list can be found on our webpage. For questions contact us at 207-581-3188, extension.gardening@maine.edu.
The Horticulture and Integrated Pest Management Programs are looking to fill a single position for a seasonal laboratory, field assistant and invasive plant outreach coordinator to work on two projects starting this spring on a 40 hour per week basis, until completion of the projects next winter.
The first project involves educating plant sellers about invasive plants that may become hitchhikers in plant pots, root balls or other horticultural materials and providing best management practices to prevent weeds in production, holding, display or sales areas. The successful candidate will develop outreach and educational materials, plan, coordinate and implement in-person and online workshops, and work with growers to solve invasive plant management issues.
The second project involves mosquito trapping and testing activities for the Maine statewide mosquito monitoring program as described in DACF’s “Plan for the Protection of the Public Health from Mosquito-borne Diseases.” The successful candidate will assist in selecting sites and servicing mosquito traps weekly, assist in mosquito identification, properly handle, and label specimens using cold-chain protocol, keep records and manage data.
Work will be based in Augusta, Maine, with some opportunity for telework. Some statewide travel is expected, including to mosquito monitoring sites from Augusta to Unity that are visited regularly.
Please note the deadline to apply has been extended to March 27, 2023
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