Spotted Lanternfly Lessons Learned from Pennsylvania: Experiences, Quarantines, and Research February 18, 2019 NJ Division Allegheny Society of American Foresters Amy K. Korman, Ph.D. Extension Educator Lehigh and Northampton Counties
We are… Part of Penn State A top 20 rated research institution. We are part of the national land-grant university system. It is why we are a trusted source of information. Our information is unbiased, researched, and science-based.
“We believe that all people should have access to science- based education.”
Experiences, Quarantines, and Research Extension Perspective: The public is extremely interested in SLF 2018 – 1 Educator, 25 presentations, reaching an audience of > 1200 Answers for why and how bugs behave: • Bugs don’t read “the book” • It depends!
SLF: not JUST a nuisance pest PA Department of Agriculture G. Krawczyk Agriculture
Sooty mold on deck
Why do we care about SLF What it does to woody plants Oozing, leaf curl, wilting, and potential death of trees Yield losses in apple, grape (no current estimate) Transmission of pathogens unknown Honeydew -> Sooty mold -> decreased photosynthesis
Preferred hosts? Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven), black walnut, grape, hops
Population origin and invasion in PA 1
Discovered in Berks County in September 2014 Estimated arrival in PA was during 2012 Native to parts of Asia Recently introduced to South Korea
Invasion process
PDA and USDA activities in PA 2
Efforts to control SLF (State and Federal)-1 CONTROL PA Dept. Agriculture focusing in “ core ” of population USDA focusing on 18-km buffer outside of core population
Efforts to control SLF (State and Federal)-2 CONTROL Tree-of-heaven being utilized as trap tree Majority of trees killed, remaining trees are treated with systemic insecticide
Quarantine and SLF Permits in PA 3
SLF quarantine
What does the Quarantine Mean? No one may intentionally move viable life stages of SLF • Outdoor items • Hardgoods • Crafter materials o Stone o Tile • Vehicles o Decorative materials • Equipment • Firewood • Trailers • Nursery stock • Recreational vehicles
Efforts to control SLF (State) SPREAD All businesses transporting material within or in and out of quarantine counties are required to have SLF permit
SLF permits for businesses-1 ATTN business owners: if your business requires moving a product and operates within the spotted lanternfly quarantine zone, you’re required to have a permit. Take the permit test at: https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly
SLF permits for businesses-2 The SLF Permit is NOT a license to do SLF treatment! The SLF Permit demonstrates the willingness of businesses to understand the significance of SLF and do their part to keep SLF hitch hikers under control.
Control Options 4
Stop the spread Don’t move firewood Check outdoor equipment (mowers, grills, furniture, etc.) before moving it in or out of the quarantine zone Don’t park under infested trees, and leave your windows rolled up
Integrated Pest Management Calendar
Remove tree-of-heaven Tree-of-heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ) is an invasive tree that is used in landscape design, and frequently found on the sides of roads and in other disturbed areas. It is the preferred host for SLF. Removing tree-of-heaven may help reduce SLF populations. If you are going to kill tree-of-heaven, you must treat it with herbicide before you remove it! Without doing this first, the problem will be made worse!
Trap tree method Systemic pesticide E. Swackhamer & A. Corman
Trap tree method E. Swackhamer & A. Korman
Chemical Control
Caution: bycatch on bands is possible It is possible that bands may accidentally catch non-target animals, including beneficial insects and small mammals. To avoid this, we suggest using narrower bands, using chicken wire/caging over the bands (shown in photo), or using petroleum jelly instead of a sticky material. If you do catch a non-target mammal, you should contact your local wildlife rehab center. Attempting to free the animal yourself may put you and the animal in more danger. E. Finlay
Current Research Efforts 5
What we’ve learned -1 • Only 1 introduction of Spotted Lanternfly in the US • PA is quite different than the situation in ROK where activity is widespread • SLF not strong flier but can move greater distances (using air currents)
What we’ve learned -2 • SLF is a passive feeder • Plant tugor pressure seems to be critical for feeding (some trees are better than others) • Egg covering affects mortality
November 2015 March 2016
Host range Preferred hosts ?: Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven), black walnut, grape, hops Feed on 70+ plants : apple, maple, birch, sycamore, willow, staghorn sumac, and many others S. Ausmus
Ongoing research Short and long-term effects of SLF on: ornamentals, tree fruit, grapes, hops, and forests Insecticide recommendations for ornamentals, grape & peach Characterizing SLF saliva & feeding Lures & attractants Communication of adult SLF Dispersal and movement of SLF Fungal pathogens for biocontrol Female reproductive development Host requirements/preferences Foreign exploration for natural enemies …and more!
FAQs 6
FAQs • Will winter temps kill the • Not cold enough to kill all eggs? eggs • Can adults overwinter? • They can find harborage and live longer • Do all insects hatch at • Hatch occurs over once? several months • Is it a fly or a moth? • It is a planthopper (more • How many eggs does a related to Aphids than female produce? moths or flies? • 30-50 eggs per egg mass
What about home remedies to control SLF? No! Home remedies can be unsafe for humans, pets, and plants, and illegal They don’t come with instructions on how to use them, how to store them, or how they might be toxic to your family, pets, beneficial insects, and the plants in your backyard
Questions?
Recommend
More recommend
