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Finger Lakes invasion of spotted lanternfly predicted | News | fltimes.com

Finger Lakes invasion of spotted lanternfly predicted | News | fltimes.com

GENEVA — The Finger Lakes may be invaded by the spotted lanternfly soon.

The insect is an invasive pest from Asia that feeds primarily on trees and a variety of plants, including grapevines, hops, maple, walnut and fruit trees. It arrived in Pennsylvania in 2014. They have spread to Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and now New York, starting on Long Island and in downstate areas.

They pose a risk to state agricultural and forest health, as they use their sucking mouth parts to feed on the sap of more than 70 plant species, making the plants vulnerable to disease and attacks from other insects. Officials worry that the spotted lanternfly will harm the state’s grape and apple crops.

‘Highly aggressive’ algae found in Skaneateles Lake; could affect fishing, boating – newyorkupstate.com

‘Highly aggressive’ algae found in Skaneateles Lake; could affect fishing, boating – newyorkupstate.com

Syracuse, N.Y. – A potentially problematic invasive algae has been found in Skaneateles Lake.

Known by the cheery name of starry stonewort, the algae could cause problems for the lake, an angler’s haven and the unfiltered source of drinking water for Syracuse and suburbs.

“It’s like many aquatic invasives in that it can take over and push out natural vegetation,” said David Carr, project manager for the starry stonewort collaborative in the Finger Lakes. “It can ruin fish habitat, and if it gets thick enough you can’t pull a boat through.”

Winter camping in the Finger Lakes National Forest last year

One year ago I today started my week long winter camping adventure in the Finger Lakes National Forest… 🎄

Rise and Shine, Finger Lakes Campers

I was planning on going to the Finger Lakes during mid November but an early November snow storm and work came up. I found a relatively calm winter week in December to take off and spend in a hot tent during Black Powder Season a year ago, starting tonight. There were some snow squalls when I was out there dropping a few inches but the road was plowed and I stayed around camp the bad weather days.

It definitely was a new adventure for me – a week camped out on the high point of Hector Backbone during December with nearly a foot of snow on the ground (unexpectedly). I didn’t expect so much snow but the road was plowed and things worked out.

The whole week never got above freezing except for the last day when I took down camp. Some of the nights were in the single digits like tonight. With the heater, a roaring campfire and a decent amount of winter gear it never was that cold although several nights I retired to bed fairly early as the nights are long – even with the sunset being 15-20 minutes later than Albany.

Winter camping is kind of unique and pretty. The snow gives the land a very different appearance, changes the way the woods looks. The cold is actually quite refreshing and as long as you have a way to get warm quickly – the heater in the tent – I was quite comfortable, sometimes spending the bulk of the day curled up by a book reading. I used quite a bit of propane – maybe 5 gallons for the week as I had it filled midweek but propane is cheap enough that even if it set me back $15 I had a great time. Damn food and dish soap kept freezing hard by the end of the week.

I want to do more winter camping but it can be difficult with the snow blocking off the back country roads and parking areas. But certainly that winter camping trip was memorable and quite enjoyable.