Erie County farmers are preparing for the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect originating from Asia, to arrive at County farms this season.

The pest has devastated grape crops across 14 states - including Pennsylvania.

While it hasn't officially been spotted in Erie County, farmers are nonetheless sounding alarms, and preparing for the worst. 

"It could change the grape industry as we know it," said farmer Tim Burch, owner of Burch Farms, who says the spotted Lanternfly has the potential to devastate his grape crop, and business.

"The fear with the spotted lanternfly is they multiply so fast that you just have zillions of them. And their primary host that they love to live and feed on is the grapes. They can literally kill a grapevine, and if we can't keep it under control there is the fear of that happening."

Burch isn't the only one concerned. Michael Yori, President of Yori Wine Cellars, says he's worried about what the lanternfly could do not just to his product, but all Pennsylvanian grape growers.

"Pennsylvania is the 4th largest producer of grapes in the United States of America," said Yori. "And it's a $1.77 billion direct impact for Pennsylvania, so it would be a tough thing to have them come in and devastate our crops."

So how are farmers preparing for the pest?

"Right now Penn State and Cornell [University] are trying to educate us enough that they honestly believe we are going to be able to control the insect when it gets here," said Burch. "But that's yet to be seen, it has not invaded such a large grape growing area as we have here in Erie County yet."

Grape farmers are winery owners are welcome to join a workshop on May 1st where they will discuss the pest. The event goes from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m and will be held at Burch Farms Country Market at 9210 Sidehill Rd. in North East. Registration is required.