Can we win the battle against the Spotted Lanternfly invasion?
Or will it be a repeat of Emerald Ash Borer’s mass destruction?
While I don’t have those answers, I can share information.
Crux of the problem: In China, a parasitic wasp helps keep spotted lanternflies in check, but the US doesn’t have that specific wasp.
“SLF can feed on more than 100 plant species, and has the potential to greatly impact the viticulture, tree fruit, nursery, and timber industries.”
Ohio Dept. of Agriculture
Surveillance photos of the enemy
Written description & identification
Black sooty mold around the base of plants or oozing sap may indicate the presence of the Spotted Lanternfly, however other pests can cause these symptoms as well. SLF will lay eggs beginning in October through the beginning of winter. The egg masses of the SLF are small, grey masses protected by a waxy covering. After hatching in late spring, the SLF goes through four nymph stages. During the first three they appear black with white spots, and in the last stage, which typically occurs during mid-summer, they are red with white dots and black stripes. During the late summer and autumn, the SLF is in the adult moth stage. These adults are larger (approximately 1 inch), with black bodies and brightly colored wings. Source
“Spotted lanternflies aren’t great fliers, but are great hitchhikers. Researchers say they have made their way around the United States by clinging to the wheel wells of cars and hopping onto trains or planes, and laying their eggs along the way.”
CNBC Story
‘Battle maps’ showing quarantines and its potential US range
Why you should care
SLF is a serious invasive pest with a healthy appetite for our plants and it can be a significant nuisance, affecting the quality of life and enjoyment of the outdoors. If not contained, spotted lanternfly potentially could drain Pennsylvania’s economy of at least $324 million annually, according to a study carried out by economists at Penn State. The spotted lanternfly uses its piercing-sucking mouthpart to feed on sap from over 70 different plant species. It has a strong preference for economically important plants including grapevines, maple trees, black walnut, birch, willow, and other trees. The feeding damage significantly stresses the plants which can lead to decreased health and potentially death.
As SLF feeds, the insect excretes honeydew (a sugary substance) which can attract bees, wasps, and other insects. The honeydew also builds up and promotes the growth for sooty mold (fungi), which can cover the plant, forest understories, patio furniture, cars, and anything else found below SLF feeding. Source
“It’s not a matter of if – it’s a matter of when. Right now, lanternfly is not yet established in vineyards [in New York’s] Long Island or… in the Finger Lakes. Certainly if they get out to wine growing regions on the West Coast, it could be a… very severe economic impact.”
Julie Urban, an associate research professor of entomology at Penn State
The enemy’s history
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an insect native to China, India, and Vietnam, and attacks fruit plants, such as grapes and apples, ornamental, and woody trees. A primary host is Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima). Spotted lanternfly (SLF) was first detected in eastern Pennsylvania in September 2014 and was likely brought to the United States by imported woody plants, wood products, and other commodities. They have now established populations in several eastern states, including Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Ohio. Source
YOUR MISSION: Search & Destroy SLF egg masses!
Steps you can take to stop its spread
Know Your Zones: The spotted lanternfly is quarantined in several Eastern states, so drivers who travel through these areas need to be extra careful that they aren’t moving this pest. Check with your state agricultural department for quarantine information. Source
If your business operates in or near an infested area, or if you receive shipments from an infested area:
- Check Your Vehicle: Before leaving a parking lot or work site, inspect vehicles for spotted lanternfly egg or insects. Check doors, sides, bumpers, wheel wells, grills, and roofs. If found, destroy any eggs or insects you find.
- Inspect Items Being Moved: Check shipping containers, propane tanks, pallets and other items being stored outdoors before they are moved off-site. Inspect incoming goods for egg masses and insects.
- Park with Windows Closed: The spotted lanternfly and its nymphs can enter vehicles unsuspectedly. When parked, make sure to keep windows closed. If possible, try to park 15 feet away from trees if in a quarantine zone.
- Remove and Destroy Pests: Crush nymphs and adult insects. Scrape egg masses into a plastic bag containing hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol to kill them. Treatment information can be found through PennState Extension or your local cooperative extension service. [Egg masses often appear as gray-colored splotches of mud or cement that are about ¾ of an inch wide and 1 inch long]
- Remove Host Trees: Spotted lanternflies prefer the ailanthus tree, also known as “Tree of Heaven.” Try to remove trees from the business property to avoid attracting spotted lanternfly.
- Report Sightings: In Pennsylvania, contact the Penn State Extension program. Outside Pennsylvania, contact your state agricultural department to report sightings outside of quarantined zones. If possible, take a picture or capture the insect in alcohol.
- Comply with Permitting: Businesses operating in quarantine zones must have permits to move equipment and goods.
Contact your local State Department of Agriculture for more information about permits.
How to Create a Wildlife Barrier for a Spotted Lanternfly Sticky Band Trap
Many residents attempt to control spotted lanternflies by placing sticky bands on tree trunks. This method of trapping should never be used without a wildlife barrier.
Posters for Businesses – Source
YouTube: Look Before You Leave
NOTICE: PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Addendum to the Order of Quarantine; Spotted Lanternfly
[52 Pa.B. 1744]
[Saturday, March 26, 2022]
Recitals
A. Spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, is a new pest to the United States and has been detected in the Commonwealth. This is a dangerous insect to forests, ornamental trees, orchards and grapes and not widely prevalent or distributed within or throughout the Commonwealth or the United States. Spotted lanternfly has been detected in the Commonwealth and has the potential to spread to uninfested areas by natural means or through the movement of infested articles.
B. The Plant Pest Act (Act) (act of December 16, 1992, P.L. 1228, No. 162) (3 P.S. §§ 258.1—258.27) empowers The Department of Agriculture (Department) to take various measures to detect, contain and eradicate plant pests. A plant pest is defined as an organism, including other plants, causing or capable of causing injury or damage to plants or plant products (3 P.S. § 258.2). These powers include the authority, set forth at section 258.21 of the Act (3 P.S. § 258.21), to establish quarantines to prevent the spread of plant pests within this Commonwealth.
C. Under the authority of section 258.20 of the Act (3 P.S. § 258.20) the Department may declare a pest to be a public nuisance when the Department determines a plant pest to be dangerous or destructive to the agriculture, horticulture or forests of this Commonwealth. For the reasons set forth in Paragraph A above, the Department declares Spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, to be a public nuisance.
D. Consistent with the Order of Quarantine and Treatment: Spotted Lanternfly, published at 51 Pa.B. 1346 issued Saturday, March 13, 2021 (Order of Quarantine), where the Department detects or confirms any of the plant pests established in this Order of Quarantine—Spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula—the place or area in which any of these plant pests are detected or confirmed shall be subject to the provisions of that Order of Quarantine published at 51 Pa.B. 1346 issued Saturday, March 13, 2021.
E. The place or area in which the plant pest is detected or confirmed shall be added to the Order of Quarantine, published at 51 Pa.B. 1346 issued Saturday, March 13, 2021, through an addendum delineating the specific location and geographic parameters of the area or place. Such Addendum shall be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and enforcement of the Addendum to the Order of Quarantine, published at 51 Pa.B. 1346 issued Saturday, March 13, 2021, with regard to that place or area shall become effective immediately.
Order
Under authority of section 21 of the act (3 P.S. § 258.21), and with the Recitals previously listed incorporated herein and made a part hereof this Addendum to the Order of Quarantine published at 51 Pa.B. 1346 issued Saturday, March 13, 2021, the Department Orders the following:
1. Establishment of Quarantine.
The provisions, standards and requirements of the Order of Quarantine published at 51 Pa.B. 1346 issued Saturday, March 13, 2021 are hereby established and hereafter apply with respect to Adams, Armstrong, Bedford, Centre, Fulton, Indiana, Lycoming, Mercer, Snyder, Union, and Washington Counties. This is in addition to, and does not replace, any areas already subject to the Order of Quarantine published at 51 Pa.B. 1346 issued Saturday, March 13, 2021 and any previous Addendums to that Order of Quarantine.
2. All Provisions Apply.
All of the provisions established in the Order of Quarantine published at 51 Pa.B. 1346 issued Saturday, March 13, 2021, are hereby incorporated herein and made a part hereof this Addendum as if fully set forth herein and shall hereby be made applicable to Adams, Armstrong, Bedford, Centre, Fulton, Indiana, Lycoming, Mercer, Snyder, Union, and Washington Counties.
RUSSELL C. REDDING,
Secretary
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 22-459. Filed for public inspection March 25, 2022, 9:00 a.m.] Source
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Quarantine Compliance
All residents and businesses must comply with the SLF order and regulations. To protect neighbors and communities, the agriculture industry and Pennsylvania’s business vitality, everyone needs to be aware of the risks and how to utilize best management practices in their daily activities to avoid spreading SLF.
SLF Quarantine strictly prohibits the movement of any SLF living stage including egg masses, nymphs, and adults and regulates the movement of articles that may harbor the insect.
The following are examples of regulated articles:
- Landscaping, remodeling or construction waste
- Logs, stumps, or any tree parts
- Firewood of any species
- Grapevines for decorative purposes or as nursery stock
- Nursery stock
- Packing materials such as pots, crates, pallets, etc.
- Outdoor household articles including recreational vehicles, tractors and mowers, grills and furniture and their covers, tarps, mobile homes, tile, stone, deck boards, mobile fire pits, any associated equipment and vehicles not stored indoors
Intentional movement of SLF is expressly prohibited and is a serious offense. Violations could result in criminal or civil penalties and/or fines. Source
More
Spotted lanternflies are feasting on U.S. grapevines and putting vineyards at risk
October 13, 2022 – Fiore Winery in Maryland is among those experiencing the insect’s destructive effects.
