WXVU MAINLINE NEWS MINUTE FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 1
Written by Gabriella Raful on May 1, 2023
By: Gabriella Raful
April is Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month, and the U-S-D-A is warning Pennsylvanians that it’s the best time of year to spot damaging, invasive species. Invasive pests cost the U-S about 40-billion dollars a year in damages to trees, plants and crops. Kathryn Bronsky works on plant protection issues for the U-S-D-A. She says hungry pests are often great hitchhikers, and people can accidentally spread them to new areas by traveling. She point outs that Keystone State residents should be on the lookout for a particular species and try to avoid inadvertently moving it to other locations.
“In Pennsylvania, we are on the lookout for Spotted lanternfly. This is an invasive pest that feeds on a wide range of fruits and ornamental woody trees. Tree of Heaven is the preferred host.”
In other news, Award-winning journalist and NBC News anchor Lester Holt will address the Class of 2023 as Villanova University’s commencement speaker. Holt will also receive the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. The university’s 180th commencement will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 19 in Villanova Stadium.