History & Introduction

Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula, SLF) is a leafhopper, similar to an aphid, that is native to Asia. It was first discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014, and since then great efforts have been made by state and local agencies to contain and slow its spread. In 2020, Individuals were detected in New York within Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve in Staten Island. While rapid response efforts were made to contain the insect at this site, the proximity to states like PA and NJ, which have become heavily invaded, has allowed for constant reintroduction. By October of 2021, SLF has been confirmed in both Nassau and Suffolk County. New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYS Ag & Markets) are actively working with local partners to locate, confirm and control any new sightings of SLF within NY, using resources such as iNaturalist, iMapinvasves, as well as through emails and Ag & Markets ArcGIS Survey123 reporting form.

Identification & Biology

While it has been named for its colorful wings and body in its adult form, SLF can be recognizable at all life stages.

• Eggs & egg masses: eggs are laid in 1″ segmented rows that can contain up to 60 eggs, looking like small tic-tacs. The female covers the egg cases with a white putty-like substance that when it dries may resemble gray-ish mud or lichen, helping it camouflage on a surface. SLF will lay eggs on smooth, protected surfaces, oftentimes on the bark of the tree of heaven or other smooth-barked trees, but just as well as the undersides of picnic benches, vehicle wheel wells and tires, and stone walls. (Visible October – June)
• Early Nymphs: SLF undergo 4 instars, with the first three instars maintaining a similar appearance. They are black with white dots, and roughly ¼” in size, causing people to often mistake them for ticks. (Visible May – July)
• Late Nymphs: When SLF reach their 4th instar, they become slightly larger in size and will appear bright red, with black and white spots congruently arranged on their dorsal side. (Visible July – September) 
• Adults: 1” long,  with pink-tinted wings that are covered in black dots, and red hind-wings with black spots. Males and females have yellow abdomens with black stripes, while only females have a pair of red valvifers at the far end of the abdomen. Adults may begin to die off after a hard frost. (Visible Late July – December) 
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Damage & Concern

SLF threatens the health of our forests as well that of our agricultural industry, as it feeds on the sap of a wide variety of woody and herbaceous plants from maples and apples, to grapes and hops. The Pennsylvania General Assembly estimates that in PA alone, SLF may do about $324 million worth of damage annually, and cost the state about 2,800 jobs. SLF’s preferred host plant is tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima, TOH), another invasive species that is already widespread within LIISMA, as well as globally.

SLF will feed on a variety of trees. While there are no reports of tree mortality in forests, SLF can damage and stress trees such as maple, oak, pine, walnut, and willow.

SLF are phloem feeders, as adults and larvae use specialized mouthparts to pierce their plant of choice. They suck up the sap that the plant needs for its own nutrition from the leaves, stems and trunks – weakening the plant. While this may not kill the plant outright, it opens the plant up to other stressors, and may attract other pests or pathogens. As SLF consumes the sap in search for nitrogen and amino acids, they secrete the excess sugar as what is called “honeydew.” This sweet, sticky substance can encourage the growth of sooty mold on plants, which can further impede photosynthesis and lead to more plant stress. 

Sooty mold can also discolor patios, outdoor furniture and vehicles beneath infested plants. The honeydew may also emit a strong fermentation odor, which may help to locate infestations, but might also be unpleasant for those living or recreating nearby. 

There are currently no known means of control for widespread infestations of SLF, nor is there any way to stop SLF from entering any particular property. Scientists are working on solutions, which is why monitoring and reporting is so important. We can help by reporting SLF and making sure we do not move them around.

Management & Control

Mechanical: Egg masses can be scraped off of trees and placed into plastic bags with alcohol, or stomped on until they burst. Egg masses should NOT be just scraped onto the ground, as SLF can still hatch from egg masses that have fallen to the ground. Note that most egg masses in trees will be in the canopy, beyond reach.

Circle traps for monitoring and reporting SLF ure SLF. Click here to read more about how to build your own circle trap, or here on where to buy one. 

Chemical: Systemic herbicides can be introduced into “trap trees” to manage an SLF infestation. Choose a large, male TOH tree with a trunk greater than 10” wide. Male trees are preferable as they do not produce seeds that would spread more TOH on the property. As the SLF feed on the tree, they take up the pesticide, which ultimately kills them. PA department of Agriculture is currently employing bark spray applications of Dinotefuran between the months of May-August, prior to SLF becoming adults. Always read the directions on the pesticide label prior to application.

Cultural: Removing TOH is not recommended unless using a chemical treatment method, as the tree can easily and quickly send out suckers, which are more favorable for SLF to consume. SLF will still lay eggs and feed on other native trees, like oak and cherry. 

Biocontrol: Currently there are no legally released biocontrols for use against SLF. However, several reports have been made of a few natural predators that have been found to attack SLF. One such predator is the non-native egg-parasitic wasp (Ooencyrtus kuvanae) that was introduced to control LD Moth (Lymantria dispar). The native wheel bug (Arilus cristatus) and predatory stink bug (Apoecilus cynicus), Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis) and even some spiders (e.g., Argiope trifasciata) and vespid wasps have also been observed; but none have been found to do enough damage to significantly impact SLF populations. Postdoctoral researcher Eric Clifton at Cornell University is currently looking into the potential use of Beauveria bassiana, a type of native fungus that has been found parasitizing SLF in PA. They are testing the use of commercialized mycoinsecticide using B. bassiana, and have found promising results with >90% mortality of SLF, with low to no impact on native insect species like bees and ants. 

Monitoring 

SLF monitoring at NYS DOT checkpoints is currently being conducted using drones, as well as SLF detection dogs. Drones help to visually locate egg masses over large trucks, while dogs have been trained to sniff out SLF in the same way that has been done for drugs or explosives. Detection dogs can also be utilized in priority forests or within farms or vineyards. 

Circle traps can also be set up to monitor for SLF in places where SLF populations are not yet established. 

Individual community members can also assist in local monitoring efforts. Learn more about how you can help with this effort!

Report

Have you seen a spotted lanternfly? Click the button below to report your sighting!