SPOTTED LANTERNFLY DETECTION PROGRAM

 

The purpose of this citizen science project is to monitor the spread of the spotted lanternfly in Virginia (4). 

 

The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive species that can cause considerable damage to plants, especially to vineyards and other fruit trees (1). Whilst the immature stages (nymphs) feed on a wide range of hosts, the adults prefer the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima). When the spotted lanternflies eat, they excrete a sugary substance, called honeydew, which encourages the growth of black sooty mold (2). The sooty mold can stunt plant growth by coating the leaves to the point that it impairs photosynthesis.

 

Commercial transportation of fruit and timber products is believed to be the cause of the rapid, worldwide spread of the pest (1). The spotted lanternfly is native to Asia (3). It was first detected in an isolated area in Berks County, Pennsylvania in 2014 (6). Despite persistent quarantine efforts, it has since rapidly spread to Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia (5). 

 

The spotted lanternfly was first found in Winchester, Virginia in 2018 (4). Soon after it was detected, the Virginia Cooperative Extension began monitoring the spread with the help of the Master Gardeners Association. Citizen scientists volunteer to monitor a trap that is installed on a tree of heaven. In doing so, they help to determine where the spotted lanternflies are located and where they have not spread yet. The observations can help conservationists map the spread and come up with sustainable pest management strategies for Virginia. 

 

1. Du, Z., Wu, Y., Chen, Z., Cao, L., Ishikawa, T., Kamitani, S., Sota, T., Song, F., Tian, L., Cai, W., & Li, H. (2020, December 14). Global phylogeography and invasion history of the spotted lanternfly revealed by mitochondrial phylogenomics. Wiley Online Library. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/eva.13170.  

2. Essler, J. L., Kane, S. A., Collins, A., Ryder, K., DeAngelo, A., Kaynaroglu, P., & Otto, C. M. (n.d.). Egg masses as training aids for spotted lanternfly Lycorma delicatula detection dogs. PLOS ONE. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0250945. 

3. Kelly Murman, Gregory P Setliff, Cathryn V Pugh, Michael J Toolan, Isaiah Canlas, Stefani Cannon. Distribution, Survival, and Development of Spotted Lanternfly on Host Plants Found in North America, Environmental Entomology, Volume 49, Issue 6, December 2020, Pages 1270–1281, https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvaa126 

4. Spotted Lanternfly in Virginia. Department of Entomology | Virginia Tech. (2021, April 12). https://www.ento.vt.edu/4-H_Entomology/SpottedLanternfly.html. 

5. Spotted Lanternfly. | National Invasive Species Information Center. (n.d.). https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/terrestrial/invertebrates/spotted-lanternfly.

6. Spotted Lanternfly. USDA APHIS | Spotted Lanternfly. (n.d.). https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/plant-pest-and-disease-programs/pests-and-diseases/sa_insects/slf.

* All images are linked to the source.