The US’s war on spotted lanternflies might be having an effect

The population of the invasive species seems to be on the decline, but experts are split on the significance of the findings

It has been the target of an if you see it, stomp it" campaign in the eastern US for several years. But now the spotted lanternfly - an elegant but invasive insect with distinctive red wings - might be on the decline in some areas.

Harmless to humans, spotted lanternflies can damage trees and fruit crops, and feed on the sap of over 70 different species of host plants. They are now common across the north-east. In New York, red splats, from eager lanternfly stompers, are a frequent sight on sidewalks.