State officials said Thursday they have received a large number of spotted lanternfly reports from Long Island this summer as they encouraged people to help monitor the invasive insect’s spread throughout the state, though on Long Island only on the East End.

The state’s agriculture industry has, so far, escaped damage from the large-winged red-colored, sapsucker . But surveillance is continuing with an eye on vulnerable vineyards in Suffolk County and upstate New York.

Five years after it was first detected in New York, scientists and researchers are still learning about the voracious plant-hopper from Asia that can weaken trees and destroy plants with its sharp mouthparts. It also leaves behind a sticky residue known as honeydew which can cause mold growth.

"The insect is very cry

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