Lycorma delicatula is a species in the genus Lycorma, in the planthopper family Fulgoridae, subfamily Aphaeninae. Taxonomy and discovery Spotted lanternfly displaying underwing Ongoing pest control efforts have sought to limit population growth, due to the threat L. delicatula poses to global agricultural industries. L. delicatula's egg masses have been found to be the primary vector of spread, with Ailanthus altissima populations seen as a risk factor for further infestation globally. In September 2014, L. delicatula was first recorded in the United States, and as of 2022, it is an invasive species in much of Northeastern United States and is rapidly spreading south and west. The species was accidentally introduced into South Korea in 2006 and Japan in 2009, and has since been considered a pest. In temperate climates, these egg masses overwinter. Spotted lanternflies lay egg masses containing 30–50 eggs, often covered with a grayish mud-like coating. The piercing wounds caused by their mouthparts and the honeydew waste they excrete have been found to be significantly detrimental to the health of host plants. Adults do not display any specialized feeding associations with herbaceous plants but have been known to cause extensive damage to crops and ornamental plants. Adult spotted lanternflies display a black head, grey wings, and red hind wings. Early life instars display a large host range that narrows with maturation. Early life stages ( instars) of the spotted lanternfly are characterized by spotted black and white nymphs that develop a red pigmentation and wings as they mature. The spotted lanternfly's life cycle is often centered on its preferred host, Ailanthus altissima, but L. delicatula can associate with more than 173 plants. In its native habitat, L. delicatula populations are regulated by parasitic wasps. Its preferred host is tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima), but it infests economically significant plants including soybean, grapes, stone fruits, and Malus spp. It has spread invasively to Japan, South Korea, and the United States. “They’re not great fliers, but they’re constantly moving.The spotted lanternfly ( Lycorma delicatula) is a planthopper indigenous to parts of China and Vietnam. “If you don’t kill it, you’ll carry it,” she says. Spotted lanternflies can’t fly very far on their own, but have managed to spread by hitching rides with humans and vehicles, which is why Urban says it’s important to be vigilant about your surroundings and kill the insects or any egg masses if you see them. “It’s not futile.” How to best get rid of spotted lanternflies “People get very frustrated with invasive species, but anything they can do helps researchers buy time as we come up with better solutions,” she says. So while the insect may not be eradicated through the stomping of many feet, Urban adds that these efforts still help researchers. We do hope to slow the spread to give us more time to learn about this.” “We don’t feel as though eradication is an option for this,” says Eshenaur. “Each one we step on has the potential of killing 40 with it.”Īt the end of the day, though, spotted lanternflies are here to stay, and all efforts are on slowing down the insects’ reach rather than getting rid of them completely. “One female spotted lanternfly can lay up to 40 egg masses,” he says. But with thousands of insects already in the environment, will squashing a few bugs have any impact?Įshenaur says that small efforts can play a big part in reducing the population-especially on a local scale. Experts worry about the economic toll of the spotted lanternfly but say more research is needed to better understand its impact.Įxperts say that having people kill lanternflies is a short term strategy as scientists continue to develop long-term, sustainable solutions. The spotted lanternfly has a preference for grapevines, maple trees, and black walnut, all of which are vital to the country’s grape, orchard, and logging industries. “It could potentially kill other plants, but it’s more of a stressor.” The insects damage plants and trees, causing them to leak sap from the wounds and leave behind a sticky honeydew that can lead to the growth of sooty mold, a fungal disease. “They insert their straw-like beaks into the plant and feed on the sap,” says Julie Urban, associate professor at Penn State’s entomology department. But it’s a danger to more than 100 trees and plants, and can kill grapevines and the tree of heaven, a fast-growing deciduous tree native to China that is also an invasive species. The spotted lanternfly doesn’t cause any harm to humans or animals-it doesn’t bite, sting, or contain venom. Why experts are encouraging people to kill spotted lanternflies
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |