Concern is growing locally about an invasive insect that is causing widespread damage to vineyards in southeastern Pennsylvania.

The spotted lanternfly, native to Asia, was first spotted in the Philadelphia area, five years ago.

Since then it has been devouring crops, especially grapes.

The state has set up a quarantine area to try to keep the bug in check, requiring truckers who stop in the areas to carefully check their loads.

So far the insect has not been spotted outside the quarantine area.

But traps have been put out in some of our area's 30,000 acres of grapes.

And farmers have been told to be on the lookout for the insect.

Andy Muza of Penn State Extension said, "There is some high concern about this pest just because of what we have seen in the southeast and the numbers."

While the lanternfly devours grape leaves and vines, it also attacks fruit trees, hardwoods and ornamental shrubs.