By: Anna Beeman
Image credit: Molly Schafer https://mtcubacenter.org/the-life-cycle-of-the-spotted-lanternfly/
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since spread to 16 other states. It most likely journeyed here on woody plants, wood products, and other commodities from overseas trade. They are native to China, India, and Vietnam. Early instars appear black with white spots and turn red before transitioning into adults. The freshly hatched nymphs can be seen from April to July, and the red adults can be seen from July to September. They lay eggs masses containing 30-50 eggs in the in the fall. These overwinter and hatch into fresh nymphs in the early spring
They feed preferentially on another invasive and their preferred host, Tree of Heaven (Alianthus altissima). Other hosts include grapevines, hops, grapes, maple, walnut, and fruit trees. Signs that you may have an infestation include sap oozing from open wounds on tree trunks, one-inch-long egg masses that are brownish-gray, waxy, and mud-like when freshly laid and discoloration from excreted liquid waste called honeydew that builds up under plants. The main impact of the lanternfly is still unknown. Still, feeding on trees can stress the plants, making them vulnerable to disease, and the honeydew they excrete promotes the growth of sooty molds and mildew that interfere with plant photosynthesis. There are a few ways to manage this infestation:
- Control the Tree of Heaven (Alianthus altissima)
- This invasive species is also highly attractive to the SLFs; chopping down these trees can help slow down infestations.
- Tree of heaven often appears at the fringes of properties, in highly disturbed areas, and is often first to leaf out in early spring.
- Vinegar
- Vinegar kills spotted lanternflies on contact.
- Soap and Water
- A homemade lantern fly spray made of ¼ cup of liquid soap, a quart of water, and a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Spraying this mixture onto the lanternflies will kill them.
- Remove the Egg Masses
- Scrape the egg masses with a card, knife, etc. into a bag with rubbing alcohol.
In the long term, the continued invasion of these leaf hoppers could negatively impact both agriculture and forests. The VDACS and USDA are quarantining certain areas of the state; all permitted articles leaving the quarantined area are inspected to ensure they do not contain any life stage of the spotted lanternfly. The current regions under quarantine are Albemarle, Augusta, Carroll, Clarke, Frederick, Page, Prince William, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Warren, and Wythe Counties, and the Cities of Buena Vista, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Lynchburg, Manassas, Manassas Park, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Winchester. If you spot the spotted lanternfly outside the quarantine areas, please report it to spottedlanternfly@vdacs.virginia.gov. Check out the National Invasive Species Information Center website for more information and continuous updates.