By Kristina Howley - Proven Winners® ColorChoice®
Photos courtesy of Proven Winners® ColorChoice®
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) has been in the United States since 2014, but has recently gained more attention. This insect looks like a moth to many but is actually a leafhopper. In its adult form, it’s quite beautiful, which is part of the reason an invasive species can be so confusing. How can something so beautiful be a pest?
Spotted Lanternfly: Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
There have been many conversations about how this insect may affect industries like agriculture and timber, but not quite as many about what home gardeners may experience. Learn all you need to know about the spotted lanternfly (SLF) and what to do if you spot evidence of them in your garden.
Will spotted lanternflies damage my plants?
An SLF’s favorite food is the sap from the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima). If you happen to have one of those in your garden, dig it up and destroy it. The tree itself is invasive and removing it will keep your garden from becoming a prime breeding spot for SLFs. However, like many invasive things, SLFs’ food sources are varied. They’ll happily feed on maples, some stone fruit trees, grapevines, black walnuts, and more.
Juvenile insects (nymphs) will feed from green, new plant tissue, while the mature insects can feed from thick, older growth. Typically, the nymphs don’t harm a plant much, but a large group of mature SLFs can cover a tree and do some real damage. They usually just weaken it, but sometimes they can end up killing a whole tree. This is especially the case for young trees.
Damage from Spotted Lantern Fly: Richard Gardner, Bugwood.org
Damage from Spotted Lantern Fly: Photo by Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org
Damage from Spotted Lantern Fly: Photo by Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org
What does spotted lanternfly damage look like?
These insects eat the sap from various plants. After they have left, you will find a sticky residue in their place. It’s called honeydew. Spotted lanternflies generally feed in a group, so there will be numerous little holes leaking that sticky pale yellow honeydew. If you see it, try to remove it. It attracts other pests and can end up turning into sooty mold, harming the plant. If you see a thick black material covering a plant, it is likely honeydew that has turned into mold.
Close up of Spotted Lantern Fly: Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org
Where are spotted lanternflies located?
According to the USDA, “Spotted lanternfly populations are in 17 States: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.”
Will spotted lanternflies hurt me? Do they sting or bite?
No, they will not. SLFs do not sting or bite. There’s a common misconception about this because the honeydew they leave behind is sweet and attracts a number of stinging insects.
If possible, take a few clear photos. There might be a local group documenting the population in your area. Do a quick search for “your state + spotted lanternfly reporting”. Note whether they want the insect as a sample or if it can be destroyed immediately.
The destruction method depends on which life stage you’ve found. If it’s a smear of eggs on a surface, scrape it off and put it in rubbing alcohol. Squash the nymphs or adult forms. They move very quickly, so beware!
If the population in your garden is large, unfortunately, there aren’t any large-scale control methods confirmed to be effective at this point.
How did spotted lanternflies get to North America?
Their specific point of entry isn’t known. It’s assumed that they came in a shipment from overseas. Spotted lanternflies lay their eggs on any hard, relatively flat surface and they are so inconspicuous that they could have been on any number of goods.
If you’re worried about unknowingly moving spotted lanternflies from one place to another, here are some tips that will help stop them from spreading so easily:
Always clean the bottoms of your hiking boots after a walk.
Shake your clothing thoroughly after being in nature, these insects can jump quickly and quite far.
Keep an eye out for egg masses on any items you regularly use outdoors – portable seating, kids’ toys, bikes, etc. Scrape them off and dispose of them in rubbing alcohol.
Are they invasive?
Yes. Our predators will eat them, but at this point it’s not at high enough rates to control them. They are pests due to their high volumes of feeding, which can damage trees and crops to the point of death. Large-scale control methods are still being studied.
By Laura Root
Photos courtesy of Jackson & Perkins
Gardeners are always thinking ahead to the next season or the next year. And, fall is the ideal time to think about spring. Flowering shrubs, perennials and spring bulbs are great choices.
Click here for an interesting article about spring bulbs.
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