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Peter Atkins and Associates.,LLC

" Artisans in the Gardens"

SPOTTED LANTERNFLY: A THREAT TO OUR PLANTS

November 24, 2024
Spotted Lantern Insect Found on Trees by Peter Atkins and Associates

PLEASE WALK YOUR PROPERTY, LOOK AT THE BARK ON YOUR TREES AND SHRUBS WITH OPEN WOUNDS. REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO YOUR TREE COMPANY, ARBORIST OR PETER ATKINS

(Article copied Department of Environmental Conservation)


SPOTTED LANTERNFLY: A THREAT TO OUR PLANTS

Species Type

  • Insect
  • Scientific Name -Lycorma delicatula
  • Interactions with humans
  • Invasive

Spotted Lanternfly Adult

Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) or SLF, is an invasive insect pest from Asia that primarily feeds on trees of heaven (Alianthus altissima) but can also feed on a wide variety of plants such as grapevine, hops, maple, walnut, and fruit trees. While the full impacts of SLF are unknown, the insect will negatively impact the agricultural and tourism industries and may impact New York's forests.


In the US, SLF was first discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014 and was found in New York in 2020.

The first New York State infestation was discovered in Staten Island in August 2020. Visit Cornell's Integrated Pest Management site for an up-to-date map of current infestation locations in the Northeast, including New York.


IDENTIFICATION

 

Egg masses: usually 1’ “long. Freshly laid egg

masses look like white putty and are laid on surfaces like trunks, patios,

stones, outdoor furniture …with time they harden, darken, and the single eggs

become visible.

       

Nymph (1st-3rd instars): they hatch from the eggs, and they grow to only 1/4” long. Black bodies and legs with bright white spots. Very strong jumpers. They tend to feed mostly on Tree-of-Heaven and on

new growth such as stems and foliage.


 Nymph (4th instars): this is the stage before they become adults. Around 1/2” long, bright red with black stripes and white Spots. Still strong jumpers.

      

Adult: around 1” long, the female is slightly larger than the male. Light brown with black spots, red coloration to the wings visible when jumping or flying. They fly but they often prefer to jump or

glide.


SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS -  The spotted lanternfly causes damage by feeding on the trees. They are plant sucking insects, meaning they feed by sucking sap from the stems and leaves of trees and shrubs.


LOOK FOR OPEN WOUNDS AND WEEPING SAP FROM YOUR TREES/SHRUBS

        

Weeping wounds and dark streaks on tree bark; Honeydew at the base of the tree; Mold/black fungus growing on top of the honeydew at the base of the trunk; Increased bees, wasps, ant activity due to

presence of sap; Presence of egg masses, and/or nymphs and adults on the tree.


WHAT YOU CAN DO - When preparing for the winter holidays, check outdoor items for spotted lanternfly egg masses, including those items you may bring indoors. Scrape any egg masses into a plastic zippered bag filled with hand sanitizer, then zip the bag shut and dispose of it properly.


Inspect your trees and plants for signs of this pest, particularly at dusk and at night when the insects tend to gather in large groups on the trunks or stems of plants.


If you live outside Dutchess, Nassau, New York City, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk (except for North Fork), Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester, you can help by reporting SLF immediately after it is found. Follow these steps:

After you have reported SLF in your area and collected a sample, you should kill any additional SLF you see by stepping on it or crushing it.


 REFERENCE:

https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly


https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/pests-diseases/hungry-pests/the-threat/spotted-lanternfly/spotted-lanternfly


https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/113303.html


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