Brian Nearing is reporting for the Times Union a spotted lanternfly showed up inside a parked car at Crossgates Mall last week. The invasive Asian species could become a threat to New York's fruit industry, but this particular bug appeared to have been a lone hitchhiker, rather than the leader of an infestation. State environmental officials removed the spotted lanternfly from the vehicle after the driver, who had recently returned from a trip to Pennsylvania, recognized the fly for what it was and called authorities. State Department of Environmental Conservation staff searched the area around the mall and found no further evidence of the insect. It appears the fly got into the car in Pennsylvania, which has known areas of infestation, and was inadvertently brought to the Capital Region. There are currently no known areas of infestation in New York, but last week DEC officials also found a single lanternfly on private property in Keuka Lake, in the wine region of the Finger Lakes. That sighting caused concern because lanternflies can feed on valuable crops such as grapes, apples and hops. "This pest has the potential to severely impact our state's agricultural and tourism industries," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "We are encouraging the public to send us information to bolster our efforts." Potential sightings and photographs of the lanternfly can be submitted to spottedlanternfly [at] dec [dot] ny [dot] gov. Read the full story in the Times Union.