The spotted lanternfly: An invasive pest
Our spring weather quickly is becoming summer weather. As we are mulching our gardens, hiking on trails or enjoying an outdoor barbecue, be on the lookout for an invasive insect: the spotted lanternfly.
This destructive pest has the potential to cause significant commercial agricultural damage. Already entrenched in southeastern Pennsylvania, the spotted lanternfly can invade our area if we are not vigilant to its life cycle.
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is native to Asia, specifically China, India and Vietnam.
Since its discovery in Berks County in fall 2014, the spotted lanternfly has been quarantined in the southeastern Pennsylvania counties of Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia and Schuylkill.
Currently, there is no definitive answer as to how the spotted lanternfly arrived in Pennsylvania, but it is speculated that it arrived from China via shipping materials used for international trade. The spotted lanternfly poses a significant threat to the state's more than $28 million grape, $87 million apple and more than $19 million peach industries.
The spotted lanternfly also is a viable threat to the Pennsylvania hardwood industry, which accounts for nearly $17 billion in sales.
The spotted lanternfly begins its life cycle in the fall, when eggs are laid on smooth surfaces like stones, rocks, tree trunks or even picnic tables and outdoor furniture.
The eggs look like a small splash of mud which provides excellent camouflage for the insect. Here, the eggs could go undetected by gardeners and homeowners during their fall garden cleanup, enabling the spotted lanternfly to overwinter and hatch in the spring.
After eggs hatch in the spring, the spotted lanternfly goes through four immature stages or instars. In the first three stages, the insects are black with white spots.
The spotted lanternfly develops red patches in the final immature stage.
The adult spotted lanternfly is about one inch long and one-half inch wide while resting. Despite its reputation for aggressive crop damage as an invasive insect, it is an attractive specimen, with vibrant red wings and black spots.
Spotted lanternfly nymphs and mature insects feed on host plants, with the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissimo), an invasive species, being a favorite. Additional hosts are trees and agricultural crops like grapes, apples and hops.Once the spotted lanternfly has found its host, either as a nymph or adult, it feeds by sucking the sap out of its host, which compromises the host's health.Additional damage comes from its secretions after feeding, called “honey dew.” The “honey dew” falls onto the base of its host, attracting other insects and fungal diseases, further compromising the already weakened host.The spotted lanternfly does not appear offensive toward or harmful to humans. Mechanical methods (swatting or crushing) can be used to destroy the insects.They move quickly, so mechanical eradication can be challenging. The spotted lanternfly does not appear to have robust natural predators that can balance its population growth.
If you see any of the stages of the spotted lanternfly and you reside in Butler County, take and email a photograph to: badbug@pa.gov (PA Department of Agriculture) or call the Invasive Species Hotline at 1-866-253-7189.Additionally, contact the Penn State Extension Master Gardener Butler County Garden Hotline at 724-287-4761, Ext. 229, with questions about the spotted lanternfly and any other gardening practices.As the days grow longer and our time spent outdoors increases, be vigilant for the spotted lanternfly. Early detection is crucial to preventing the further expansion of this invasive pest and its potential for agricultural damage westward to other counties and states.<em>Peter Ekstram is a Penn State Extension Master Gardener Butler County apprentice.</em>
