Spotted Lanternfly

Overview:  

The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive plant hopper with a wide host range, feeding on upwards of 100 species of plants. While its preferred host is the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), it is often found on grapes (Vitis spp.), hops (Humulus spp.), stone fruits (Prunus spp.), and hardwood trees. It also has the potential to devastate grape crops (Vitis spp.). This insect goes through five life stages with varying appearances in each. The eggs are laid in flat masses, which are covered in a white, putty-like substance that begins to look like cracked mud as time passes. Instars (nymphal stages) one through three have black bodies and legs, with bright white spots throughout, ranging from a few millimeters in length to approximately ¼ inch by stage three. The fourth instars are about ½ inch in length and are bright red with black stripes and white spots. In all instar stages, they are strong jumpers and will move quickly when startled or disturbed. As adults, they are about 1 inch long with tan, spotted upper wings. The lower wings are split; black with a white stripe, and red bottomed with black spots. The abdomen is yellow with a thick, black line from bottom to top. Despite having wings as adults, they are true leafhoppers and weak fliers, preferring to jump.  

Symptoms and Diagnosis:  

Spotted lanternflies feed on plant sap from stems and trunks, weakening the host plant. This feeding can cause oozing or weeping sap from wounds, curled leaves, wilting, and plant dieback. As it feeds, it excretes honeydew, a sticky, sugary substance attractive to other insects. Often, other insect populations like bees, wasps, ants, scale, and flies will be present in response to honeydew availability. In addition to being attractive to other insects, the substance can often lead to the formation of sooty mold. Sooty mold will act as a sunblock on plant surfaces, preventing it from photosynthesizing in the worst cases. A weakened plant is more susceptible to other diseases, insect infestation, and drought damage. Sooty mold and honeydew may be found on nearby plants and structures as well.  

Life Cycle:  

Eggs are most often laid on host trees from September to December, but can be found on most surfaces, including structures, fences, outdoor furniture, vehicles, etc. The eggs are brown, seed-like, and laid in vertical columns of 30-50 eggs per mass. Masses are often covered in a grey, putty-like substance and often mistaken for lichen, paint, or dried mud. Eggs overwinter from October to June, beginning their hatch as early as May. They go through four instars (nymphal phases) before reaching adulthood as early as July and through December. First through third instars feed on the sap from young, soft plant tissues, while fourth instars and adults feed on the sap of older, woodier tissues. The current U.S. populations have one generation per year.  

Integrated Pest Management Strategies: 

1. Monitor. Early detection of this pest is imperative to its control. Controlling a small population is much easier than controlling an established population. Inspect trees and plants often, especially at dusk and at night when they tend to congregate on trunks and stems. Destroy egg masses by scraping the mass into a plastic bag filled with rubbing alcohol, zipping the bag shut, and disposing of it in the trash. Alternatively, egg masses can be crushed with an object like a soil knife, trowel, or shovel.

2. Reduce hosts. Its preferred host, Tree of Heaven, is an invasive plant. Removing this plant from a property could prevent the insect from establishing in high populations. 

3. Destroy the eggs, nymphs, and adults on sight. If this is a first sighting in your area or state, collect a photo of the insect to report to the Missouri Department of Agriculture or to the Missouri Department of Conservation.  

4. Sticky traps. Due to many egg masses being laid above reachable heights, the addition of sticky traps or sticky bands can trap nymphs and adults in May through October. In areas where populations are high, the addition of circle traps can be useful in managing populations of both nymphs and adults.  

5. Biological controls. While no specific organisms have been found to target spotted lanternflies, generalists like mantids, spiders, and birds do consume the insect. A Biodiverse landscape that supports these organisms may contribute in part to the management of a spotted lanternfly population.  

6. Chemical insecticide control. Chemical insecticides should only be used on high-risk and high-value plants (ie, Vineyards and young plants in close proximity to an established population of spotted lanternflies). Reduced toxicity insecticides like insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, and neem oil have very little residual activity and can be effective on nymphs. Registered insecticides can be used to control nymphs and adults, including bifenthrin, zeta-cypermethrin, carbaryl, and dinotefuran. Contact insecticides may be used to control nymphs and adults. Systemic insecticides are typically ideal for targeting adult populations. However, non-target insects are greatly impacted by both classes of insecticides. Systemic insecticides are especially harmful when used on native plant species.