If you've spotted a colorful, moth-like insect with spotted wings fluttering around your garden or feeding on your plants, you may be dealing with the notorious spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula).
This invasive pest, though pretty to look at, poses a serious threat to gardens, orchards, and forests. Here’s everything you need to know about why lanternflies are a problem, where they come from, and, most importantly, how you can keep them out of your green space.
Why Are Lanternflies Dangerous?
The spotted lanternfly is more than just a nuisance. These insects cause extensive damage by feeding on the sap of plants, leading to:
1. Reduced Plant Health: Lanternflies weaken plants by piercing them and draining their sap. This can lead to stunted growth, wilting, and even death in extreme cases.
2. Economic Impact: Lanternflies are particularly harmful to vineyards, fruit orchards, and trees like maples and walnuts. This has significant implications for agriculture and forestry.
3. Honeydew and Sooty Mold: As lanternflies feed, they excrete a sticky substance called honeydew. This sugary substance promotes the growth of sooty mold, a black, unsightly fungus that coats plants and hinders photosynthesis.
Origin and Spread of the Spotted Lanternfly
The lanternfly is native to China, Vietnam, and parts of India. It first arrived in the United States in 2014 in Pennsylvania, likely hitching a ride in shipping materials. Since then, it has spread rapidly, primarily through human movement of infested plants, firewood, and outdoor equipment. The pest has become established in several states in the northeastern U.S., and its range is expanding.
How to Get Rid of Lanternflies in Your Garden
Tackling a lanternfly infestation may require persistence, but you can make a big impact by taking the following steps:
1. Inspect Your Property Regularly
Be vigilant in looking for signs of lanternfly activity, especially from late spring to late fall. Check for:
Egg Masses: These are laid from late fall to early spring. Lanternfly egg masses look like grayish, putty-like patches and are often found on tree trunks, outdoor furniture, rocks, or fences.
Nymphs: In the spring, eggs hatch into tiny, wingless black nymphs with white spots. These transition to red-spotted stages before becoming adults.
Adults: Adult lanternflies are easy to spot due to their colorful wings but often hide in tree canopies. They emerge in late summer and are most active through fall.
2. Scrape and Destroy Egg Masses
During the late fall and winter months, search for egg masses and scrape them off using a putty knife, credit card, or other flat object. Collect the masses into a sealed bag filled with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to kill them.
3. Set Up Sticky Bands
Wrapping tree trunks with sticky bands can trap nymphs and adults as they climb trees to feed. Be mindful of bycatch, such as birds and beneficial insects, by using cages or screens to cover the sticky traps.
4. Remove Host Plants, Especially the Tree of Heaven
Lanternflies have a special fondness for the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), which is also invasive. Consider removing this tree from your property to reduce the lanternfly's preferred habitat. Alternatively, you can treat it with systemic insecticides.
5. Use Insecticides
If you’re facing a severe infestation, you may need to use insecticides. There are contact insecticides for immediate knockdown and systemic insecticides that get absorbed into the plant tissue and kill lanternflies when they feed. Always follow safety guidelines and check for the least harmful options to non-target species.
6. Encourage Natural Predators
Certain birds, spiders, and insects prey on lanternflies. Encouraging a biodiverse garden with native plants can support a healthy ecosystem and attract these helpful predators.
7. Report Sightings
If you live in an area where lanternflies are not yet established or have only recently appeared, report any sightings to your local agricultural department or extension service. This helps track their spread and improve control efforts.
Preventing Lanternflies from Coming Into Your Garden
Keeping lanternflies out of your garden is often easier than getting rid of them once they arrive. Here are some proactive measures to take:
1. Check Outdoor Equipment: When moving outdoor furniture, vehicles, or firewood, inspect for egg masses or adult insects hitching a ride.
2. Quarantine New Plants: Before planting new trees, shrubs, or flowers in your garden, inspect them carefully for signs of lanternfly infestation.
3. Maintain Healthy Plants: Healthy, robust plants are better able to withstand damage from pests, so be sure to water, prune, and feed your plants as needed.
4. Educate Neighbors: Coordinating with neighbors can make a bigger impact since lanternflies can easily travel between properties. Share tips and encourage others to stay vigilant.
Final Thoughts
The spotted lanternfly is a formidable foe, but with diligence and teamwork, we can protect our gardens and landscapes from this invasive pest. Stay vigilant, share what you know, and take action whenever you see signs of lanternfly activity. Together, we can slow the spread of this colorful yet destructive invader and keep our gardens flourishing.
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