The Problem
Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula; SLF) is an invasive insect pest that feeds on over 70 economically and ecologically important species such as grapes, apples, and hops. SLF’s favorite tree to lay its eggs on is tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima; TOH), a very widespread invasive tree. SLF is already established in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and The Lower Hudson region of New York. In 2021, SLF was officially detected within the LIISMA region. It has now been reported numerous times within Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens. By fall of 2021, SLF was as well found within Nassau County, and as far east in Suffolk County as Connetquot State Park and McArthur Airport.
How you Can Help
While many state and local agencies are hard at work tracking the spread of this insect, community members like yourself can aid in SLF monitoring!
LIISMA and partners have outlined over four hundred 2-mile grid-squares on public lands where SLF monitoring is a high priority. We are asking Long Islanders to “adopt a square” that they will pledge to monitor this year.
How to Adopt a Square
- If you have not already, create an iMapInvasives account
- Log into iMapInvasives and get your iMap Person ID.
- On the Sign-Up Map, zoom to your area and select a grid square to survey for SLF and TOH.
- Fill out the form, including your iMap Person ID.
- You can use the Find my Claimed Grid Squares Tool on the Sign-up Map to check which grid cells you claimed.
- Review resources on identifying SLF and TOH, and which SLF life stages are currently active.
- Select one to three locations within your grid square that are publicly and safely accessible. Tip: If possible, select areas with varying levels of human disturbance. For example: a parking lot, a nature trail, and a park.
- Set up the iMapInvasives Mobile App on your device and enter a Fake Species Record to test it out. You can view submitted records on the online interface.
Travel to one to three locations within your grid square that are safely and publicly accessible.
Survey for SLF and TOH – remember to check for SLF egg masses on any flat surface – trees, rocks, structures, metal objects, etc. TOH grows in natural areas as well as highly developed areas, even growing through cracks in cement and between buildings.
Use the iMapInvasives Mobile App to report:
• Presence records when you encounter SLF or TOH
• Not-detected records if you search for the species but do not find any.
• Enter time searched for each record – we recommend spending 3-10 minutes to search a location.Repeat: We are asking volunteers to survey their selected sites 3-4 times throughout the year, one time in each the following survey periods (exact dates coming soon):
• Spring (March-June) – egg masses & instar nymphs
• Early Summer (June-July) – instar nymphs & adults
• Late Summer (August-September) – adults
• Fall (September-November) – adults & egg masses
Report Spotted Lanternfly
Have you seen a spotted lanternfly eggmass, nymph, or adult in Nassau or Suffolk County? Report it here.
If you are having trouble using the map, or would like to claim a square but need more assistance, don’t hesitate to contact Abby at abby@liisma.org, subject line “SLF Squares”
