All across the region, weather radars were lighting up Thursday with shades of blue, green and yellow. The signals would ordinarily suggest rain — but no precipitation was in the forecast.

Instead, radars have been capturing a massive swarm of spotted lanternflies descending on the Mid-Atlantic.

The insects are native to Southeast Asia, and are known as a plant hopper species. They can surf air currents — sometimes as high as 3,000 feet. Like other invasive species, they pose a threat to key crops.

Many experts have recommended squishing them, but that’s a tall order — especially when there are enough to appear on weather radar.

How do we know that it’s lanternflies on the radar and not something else? By examining three different types of data.

Reflectivity mode on radar essentiall

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