The spotted lanternfly (aka SLF) is a serious invasive insect pest native to East Asia and was first found in southeast Pennsylvania in 2014. Since that initial discovery, it has spread to many counties in Pennsylvania, as well as into Virginia, New Jersey, Ohio, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, and West Virginia. Last year, in 2021, a population of SLF was discovered in southern Indiana in Switzerland County. The infestation was only about three miles from the border of Kentucky.
While this pest has still not been confirmed in Kentucky, it has been on the move in states north of us. Indiana has recently confirmed a population in Huntington County, and before that, a new find occurred in Oakland County, Michigan. These are in addition to movements in other states like Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York. Kentuckians can help to make sure this invasive sap sucker hasn't snuck into the state by looking out for the different life stages and damage created by the pest.
What Is the spotted lanternfly?
SLF is very distinctive in appearance: the adult is about an inch long, with strikingly patterned forewings that mix spots with stripes. The back wings are contrasting red, black, and white. The immature stages are black with white spots and develop red patches as they age. They are a type of planthopper, are capable of jumping, and can be quite fast.
What does it do?
This pest is also known to feed on more than 70 other plant species. This includes specialty crops (like grapes and hops), trees (such as maple and black walnut amongst other hardwoods), and fruit crops. Their preferred host for a portion of their life cycle is the tree of heaven (another non-native/invasive species).
SLF is a true bug, part of the order Hemiptera, and it feeds using piercing sucking mouthparts. As these bugs feed, they excrete honeydew, a sugary fecal material that accumulates on nearby plants and surfaces and can attract black sooty mold issues. Honeydew can also be slippery for people and unfortunately can attract stinging insects looking to feed on it. Another unique problem is that beekeepers near SLF infestations report that their bees will forage so heavily on the honeydew that they end up with honey made from SLF fecal material rather than nectar.
Finally, females will lay their eggs on natural and unnatural surfaces alike. While they use trees, the cryptic egg cases have also been found on cars, lawn furniture, firewood, stones, and many other substrates. This causes issues for quarantine and a headache for those that live in infested areas trying to move goods out of the quarantine.
What can people do to help?
Kentuckians should be on the lookout for this pest. Report suspicious looking bugs and egg cases to the Department of Entomology at reportapest@uky.edu. When making a report, please include an image or a sample of the suspect, otherwise it will be difficult to confirm the problem. It is also important to include geographic information.
Categories: Kentucky, Rural Lifestyle