If you follow us on social media, you may have noticed that we have been posting a lot about spotted lantern fly (Lycorma delicatula) of late. This is because officials have reported a few cases of this insect being found outside Pennsylvania (where it first arrived in 2014), and this bad news for fruit, beer and wine lovers!
Originally from Asia , this insect was first discovered in 2014 in Pennsylvania. Since then, it has spread to other regions of the country. Adults have a black head, greyish-brown wings with black spots, and when open, reveal a crimson colored set of hind wings. Juvenile insects (called instars) start out black and transition to red, before molting to the adult form. The picture below shows the spotted lanternfly throughout its life cycle. Adults will lay eggs on a preferred host tree species, tree of heaven, that has also been brought to the United States. Adults will hop from plant to another, and can spread quickly and far by laying eggs on stationary objects such as cars, pallets or boxes. Adults can also hitch a ride on shipped containers and packages. These insects will suck sap out of the plant, thus weakening it over time as they need lots of the sap. Also concerning is the copious amounts of sugary "honey dew" they excrete, which attracts other insects and mold and further exacerbates the tree. As mentioned above, tree of heaven is its preferred host (and is also considered an invasive species), but it will also feed on hardwood trees, fruit trees, grapes and hops...making it especially worrisome for our farmers! If you have any questions or would like to pass on a sighting, please contact me at [email protected]!
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AuthorShikha Singh is the coordinator for the JLW CISMA. She has a BSc. in Biology from University of Western Ontario, and her master's and PhD at Michigan State University from the Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife. Her areas of expertise include water quality, water policy, invasive species, education/outreach and public speaking. |