New York City is likely headed for another frustrating summer full of invasive pests as experts warn that a massive wave of spotted lanternflies may soon hatch after a winter that was too mild to knock populations back.
Due to milder winter weather conditions, cold temperatures won’t have seriously helped to limit the spread of the invasive species in New York City this year, according to the New York Department of Agriculture, as reported by Fox Weather.
Now, experts warn that the invasive insects could number in the millions across the city this year. Fallon Meng, an NYU biologist, explained to Live Science that “cities may act as evolutionary incubators that help an invasive species to better deal with pressures like heat and pesticides, which then helps them to better adapt to new environments.”…