Spotted Lanternfly, Christmas tree bug, could ruin NYC parks

Bah hum-bug!

An invasive foreign insect may be hitching rides on fresh-cut Christmas trees from out of state, which could wreak havoc on Central Park and other green areas of the Big Apple, US Sen. Chuck Schumer warned Sunday.

The Spotted Lanternfly – an inch-long planthopper native to China and parts of southeast Asia – has infested Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey, and was spotted on Long Island, he said.

Schumer demanded federal funding to vote a looming explosion of the leaf munchers, which feed on 70 kinds of plants, including Christmas tree species sold on New York City street corners.

"If you happen to pick a fresh-cut Christmas tree that came from outside New York state, the tree could be harboring a really pesky little secret, "Schumer said. "This little critter looks nice, but he's no love bug … If we do nothing about them, trees in Central Park, on the streets of New York City and our beautiful leafy suburbs could well be at risk."

The superbug likes to sink its teeth into maples, pines and willows, leaving gaping, Swiss-cheese-like holes in leaves. The plague was also found near Albany and the Finger Lakes.

New York City's 600,000 trees could be next on the menu, Schumer said.

"We have not seen too many of them in New York, thank god, but if we do nothing, we will, "he said. "We are very worried that this pesky bug. The Spotted Lanterfly, if nothing is done, could do damage that would light up New York like a Christmas tree. "

He added," With most of these invasive species, a stitch in time saves nine.

The feds have given Pennsylvania $ 1[ads1]7.5 million to fight the bug.

The feds have given Pennsylvania $ 17.5 million to fight the bug. Schumer did not specify how much funding he wants for New York.