Community Bulletins From The FlySmash Field Desk

Hello Fellow Hunter,

Welcome to dispatch number four! We’ve been joined by a bunch of new hunters—thank you so much for pitching in and protecting our plants!

The app now covers the whole US of A!

After receiving so many lovely emails, asking that we expand FlySmash beyond NYC, I finally got myself together and I’m so pleased to see new hunters popping up as far South as Virginia and as far West as Ohio!

A big Thank You to all of my fellow New Yorkers, whose dedication to smashing and tracking flies gave me the confidence to expand. I’ve kept the 5-borough leaderboard to honor our NYC origins.

When I started this project, part of the objective was to allow us to see where the Spotted Lanternfly was migrating through citizen-scientist data. I, personally, had no idea that the flies had gotten as far west as Ohio! It is exciting to see more and more pieces of the puzzle fall into place. Thank you all for helping tell the visual story of the lanternfly invasion.

Call For Features!

You, the users, were right about expanding the app beyond NY. Now I would love to know what else you would like to see in the app. For example, one user has suggested that we also map sightings of the Tree of Heaven, another invasive species that also happens to be one of the lanternfly’s favorite habitats. I’m happy to hear any and all suggestions. Your feedback is what will help make the app great. Just hit reply to this email—I read every single note.

Thank you again for helping to Protect Our Plants.

Wish you all the best,

Kerry Ann
Founder, Eluminate Labs
kak@eluminatelabs.com
(Xerxestheglam)

Hello Fellow Hunter,

First off, a HUGE thank you to all of our new users. Welcome to the FlySmash community. We’re excited to have so many new hunters out there protecting our plants.

A hero walks among us…

In our last dispatch, I asked for your help getting to 100 smashes. I figured we only needed 10 more to make it even. Something of which I, for one, would have been proud.

But then, out of the mists of time, or perhaps your local steam vent, emerged a true hero. Our community member, Mthaytr.

I think their screen name says it all. With 555 smashes, they are not only dominating the leaderboard, but materially contributing to the reduction of the Spotted Lanternfly population. Mthaytr, we salute you! Thank you for getting us over the top in spectacular fashion!

Other hunters: There’s still time!

Dare we aim for the lofty goal of 1000 smashes? I think we do! The weather didn’t cooperate this past weekend but there are some sunny days ahead so let’s get out there and make a final push for the season.

Where are you, Staten Island and Bronx folks?

If you know someone in Staten Island or the Bronx, please encourage them to download the app and participate! I’d love to have data from all 5 boroughs before the season is over!

There’s still time to vote on expansion!

I’d still love to get your feedback on expanding the app beyond the 5 boroughs. One suggestion was to add Long Island and Westchester only? That might make for some fierce competition! Share your thoughts in the survey below!

And, any feedback is appreciated about any aspect of the app.

As always, thank you so much for helping to Protect Our Plants!

Happy Hunting!

Kerry Ann
Founder, Eluminate Labs
kak@eluminatelabs.com
(Xerxestheglam)

Hello Fellow Hunter,

Great news, fellow fly hunters—we’re only 10 SMASHES AWAY from getting 100 Spotted Lanternflies! Thank you all so much for taking the time to protect our plants.

Now, it’s time to hit your local hot spot and make the most of these last warm days. Just 10 more flies and we will have hit 100 kills for our inaugural summer.

Other States Want to Join the Fight!

I’ve gotten requests from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Virginia and Pennsylvania to join FlySmash. As community members, you get a say. Should we expand our reach next summer?

As always, your feedback is appreciated about any aspect of the app.

Improved Location Finding

If you were frustrated in the past by how long the app took to locate you, I’ve made some improvements. Now, the app will locate you virtually instantaneously! Thanks to everyone who provided feedback.

Thank you all for joining the fight to PROTECT OUR PLANTS!

Happy Hunting!

Kerry Ann
Founder, Eluminate Labs
kak@eluminatelabs.com
(Xerxestheglam)

Hello Fellow Hunter,

Thank you so much for downloading FlySmash! When I created it earlier this summer, I was hoping to motivate my fellow New Yorkers to help control these invasive pests. You’ve made my day by stepping up to join the fight!

Customize your alias on the leaderboard!

Would you like to have a personalized alias on the leaderboard? All you need to do is click on the menu (top right of your screen), select “Update Alias” and choose a fly-smashing moniker. The punnier the better! That way you’ll always know who’s who on the leaderboard.

Smashing times ahead…

Adult Lanternflies remain active until the first hard frost which is usually December, so there’s plenty of time to keep smashing (or reporting, if smashing isn’t your thing)!

Thank you again for protecting our plants!

Happy Hunting!

Kerry Ann
Founder, Eluminate Labs
kak@eluminatelabs.com
(Xerxestheglam)