I have already started to see tiny black and white polka dotted bugs on the railing of my back porch. Which means that it’s spotted lantern fly season. You can expect to see them more than you did last year and see them pop up in places you didn’t see them this year. The spotted lantern fly eats many agricultural crops. The damage they cause to the crops will reduce their yields, or make them vulnerable to disease. It is particularly devastating to fruit trees and grape vines. I have passed out a flyer to you all illustrating the 4 different life stages of the Spotted Lantern Fly look like. This will help you identify it as you are spending time outside this spring and summer. If you see a spotted lantern fly, squish it. As scouts we strive to practice leave no trace. Minimizing our impact on nature. When we travel to different cities, states, and countries it’s important that we don’t transport agricultural products (plants, fruit, veggies). Any time we agricultural products are transported, non-native pests that can negatively impact the ecosystem can be on those agricultural products. As you travel this summer either out of state or out of the country keep this in mind. Please join me in reciting the outdoor code: As an American, I will do my best to: Be Clean in my outdoor manners, be careful with fire, be considerate in the outdoors and be conservation minded.