Spotted lanternfly

The spotted lanternfly or Lycorma delicatula (order Hemiptera, family Fulgoridae) is a planthopper native to China, India, and Vietnam. Although it has two pairs of wings, it jumps more than it flies. Its host plants are grapes, pines, stone fruits, and Malus spp. In its native habitat it is kept in check by natural predators or pathogens. It was accidentally introduced in Korea in 2006 and is since considered a pest. In September 2014, it was first spotted in the U.S..

Description

Lycorma delicatula (Fulgoridae)

The spotted lanternfly is originally native to parts of China, India, Vietnam and eastern Asia.^[1] It is an 1 inch long and a half inch wide planthopper belonging to the family of the fulgorid insects. The lantern analogy stems from the inflated front portion of the head, that was thought to be luminous.^[2] It was first described by Adam White in 1845 as Aphaena delicatula with habitat outside of Nankin, China.^[3] Adult lantern flies have a black head and grayish wings adorned with the name giving black spots. Their wing tips look like they are covered with tiny black bricks and grey mortar in between. In flight it displays red hind wings with black spots on the proximal third, a white wedge in the middle of the wing and a solid black wing tip. The abdomen is yellowish with black and white bands on the top and bottom. ^[4] The lanternfly is a strong jumper and hops from location to location more than it flies.^[5] In Chinese medicine the spotted lanternfly is regarded poisonous and used for relief from swelling.^[2] It feeds on woody plants and non-woody plants, piercing the phloem tissue of foliage and young stems with its specialized mouth parts, and sucking its sap.^[2] The sugary fluid leaks and coats leaves and stems, which can encourage mold growth.^[1] It does not feed on fruit or the leaves per se.^[5] The lantern fly has a wide host range and innumerable host plants are known, including grapes, pines, the Rosaceae with stone fruits, and apple species.^[2]

Lifecycle

Beginning in late April to early May, nymphs hatch from their egg cases. A nymph passes through several immature stages. In the first stage it is wingless and looks black with white spots. It then grows red patches in addition to the white spots. Next, it has red wing pads and a red upper body, before assuming the adult look of black head and grayish wings with black spots.^[2] Nymphs cannot hop, so they crawl to search for plants to feed on.^[4] Young nymphs appear to have a wider host range early on, which narrows as they grow older.^[2] As early as July, adults can be seen. In the fall, adults mate and lay eggs from late September through the onset of winter. In their native Indomalayan habitat they will lay their eggs preferably on the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), which is an introduced invasive tree with toxic metabolites. This host choice is thought to have evolved as mechanism of protection from natural enemies.^[2] The lanternfly will lay eggs upon any smooth trunked tree, stone or vertical smooth surface, including man made items like vehicles, campers, yard furniture, farm equipment or other items stored outside.^[4] The egg masses contain 30-50 eggs,^[6] covered in a yellowish brown waxy deposit, the egg case.^[2] The lanternfly's life expectancy, is one year.^[2]

The minimum temperature that will kill eggs was estimated by South Korean researchers to be between −3.4°C and −12.7°C on the basis of mean daily temperatures during their winter of 2009/2010.^[7] This estimate contrasts with eggs having survived the much colder winter 2013/14 temperatures in Pennsylvania, United States.^[8]

Host plant signs of infestation

Trees can develop weeping wounds of sap on their trunks. Heavy infestations can cause honey dew secretions to build up at the base of the tree, blackening the soil with fungal mats around the base of the tree. The sap may attract ants, bees, hornets and wasps to feed on.^[4] The plant may be stunted or even die.^[2]

Accidental introduction

In South Korea

In 2006, the spotted lanternfly was accidentally introduced in Korea and has been considered a pest since about 2007, as it expanded its range, attacking at least 65 plant species, uninhibited by a natural enemy.^[5]

In the US

The spotted lanternfly was first recognized in the US in Berks County, northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On 22 September 2014, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission, confirmed its presence. It is a threat to the state’s grape, fruit tree and logging industries. The greatest risk of spread comes from people transporting materials containing egg masses laid on smooth bark, stone, and other vertical surfaces.^[4] On November 1, 2014 the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture banned transport of items that could harbor it, like firewood, lawn mowers, outdoor chairs, trucks and RVs from seven municipalities. ^[4] Given the presence of old egg masses the insect is estimated to have been in the area since at least 2012, having survived the 2013/14 winter's unusual cold.^[8] A national working group led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture,consisting of university and USDA scientists, was organized “to determine what is known about the lanternfly and what research is needed, including DNA analysis to pinpoint where the infestation originated.^[5]

Pest control

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture recommends to scrape eggs off the surface, “double bag them and throw them in the garbage, or place the eggs in alcohol or hand sanitizer to kill them.”^[4] Neonicotinoids, pyrethrins, and organophosphates are effective against spotted lanternfly. Adults and 2nd-4th instar nymphs appear to be attracted to spearmint oil which could be used in their control. Sticky traps at the base of tree trunks have also been used. A parasitic wasp, Anastatus orientalis was found to parasitize up to 69 percent of spotted lanternfly eggs in China and is candidate biological pest control agent in South Korea.^[2]

See also

• Invasive species

References