HOBBY FARMS
CHICKENS
Spotted lanternfly control is top of mind as these invasive insects are spreading across the eastern U.S., threatening fruit trees, grapevines, and hardwoods. Hobby farmers and home gardeners may not face the full brunt of an infestation, but taking steps to manage these pests early is crucial. From identifying nymphs and adults to preventing egg clusters, effective spotted lanternfly control can protect your plants, preserve yields, and keep your garden or orchard healthy.
Identifying the Spotted Lanternfly in Your Garden
The spotted lanternfly (Lyncorma delicatula) is an invasive species of insects from Asia that first appeared in Pennsylvania in 2014. Known as plant hoppers, the spotted lanternfly feeds on more than seventy kinds of plants, including grapevines, maple trees, and fruit trees.
How to Recognize Lanternfly Nymphs and Adults
Spotted lanternfly nymphs are easy to recognize with their black bodies covered in distinct white polka dots. In later stages of development, the nymphs may take on red patches.
Adult spotted lanternflies are about one inch long, with grayish, beige forewings speckled with black. The hindwings are more flashy, sporting a bright red with black and white bands. The abdomen is yellow with black bands, while the head, feet, and legs are completely black. When resting, only the forewings are easy to spot.
These colorful insects have three modes of transportation: hitchhiking, crawling, and a fluttering flight with wing movements similar to those of a butterfly.
States Where Spotted Lanternflies Are Spreading
Not all areas of the country need to worry about spotted lanternfly control, as they are currently only in the eastern and middle parts of the country. However, they are spreading rapidly, so even if your area has not yet been affected, there is still a chance that these invasive bugs could eventually become a problem.
Bear in mind that controlling spotted lanternfly outbreaks in a new area can be tricky, as the bugs are hitchhikers and will hitch a ride on plants, wood, and even your clothes.
Current Affected States Include: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
How Lanternflies Damage Trees and Vineyards
Before diving into spotted lanternfly control, it’s helpful to know how this invasive species causes harm to trees and vineyards.
Both adults and nymphs feed on plants, causing stress on the plants and trees it is consuming. While feeding, the spotted lanternfly excretes large amounts of sticky substance called “honeydew.” This honeydew works to weaken trees and other plant life by encouraging mold to grow.
As the mold begins to grow, it decreases photosynthesis, causing a decrease in fruit growth and yield, and encourages other harmful insects to feed on the infected trees and plants.
Plants Most at Risk from Spotted Lanternflies
There are more than seventy different plants affected by this invasive species, so it’s important to do our part in maintaining spotted lanternfly control. Here are some of the most popular hosts and species to be affected.
- Tree of Heaven (Most common host)
- Blueberry bushes
- Fruit Trees including Apple, Cherry, Peach and Plum.
- Grapes
- Hardwood Trees, including Birch, Maple, Walnut and Willow
- Hops
- Raspberry bushes
Spotted Lanternfly Control: Using Chemicals Safely
Chemicals are often used as tree trunk sprays and injections, and soil drenchers to prevent spotted lanternflies from harming fruit bearing and other trees. While chemicals are effective at killing these pests, they are also as effective at killing pollinators and other beneficial bugs.
Even though chemicals such as bifenthrin, carbaryl, and pyrethrin are efficient at killing spotted lanternflies, they should only be used during a severe infestation to avoid causing more harm than good.
Natural Methods for Spotted Lanternfly Control
Spotted Lanternfly control with natural methods is just as effective as chemicals. When confronted face on, spotted lanternflies have a “flight during fright” behavior, causing them to fly into you when confronted. This behavior makes them very easy to kill with a fly swatter.
Prevent future nymphs from hatching by scraping egg clusters (eggs look like gray-brown mud splashes about one inch in diameter, located on the trunks of trees) into a plastic resealable storage bag. Put the bag in the freezer for one week or pour rubbing alcohol into the bag to destroy the eggs.
Another natural method is wrapping tree trunks with mesh screening to protect the trunk and placing sticky bands over the mesh to prevent the bugs from destroying the tree. This method is the least effective of the spotted lanternfly control methods due to the bugs flying over the bands and feeding further up on the tree, and the risk of trapping beneficial bugs, birds, and pollinators.
Protecting Grapevines and Berry Bushes
To prevent grapevines and berry bushes from being destroyed, cover them with netting or spray bushes and vines with soapy water to help keep spotted lanternflies away from grapevines and bushes.
Another useful method is handpicking the adults, nymphs, and eggs from the bushes and vines, and manually crushing or placing them in a resealable bag in the freezer for several days, before disposing.
Lanternfly Predators and Helpful Wildlife
The spotted lanternfly has several natural predators, including praying mantis, parasitic wasps, spined soldier bugs, spiders, wheel bugs, and birds (including Bluejays, Cardinals, Chickadees, Robins, and Flycatchers).
Domestic ducks also enjoy catching and killing these bugs when allowed out for supervised freeranging time, but care should be taken that none are consumed, as ingesting these bugs may cause vomiting.
Reporting and Tracking Lanternfly Infestations
When dealing with an infestation of spotted lanternflies on your trees, grapevines, and berry bushes, or if these bugs have not been previously spotted in your area, contact your county extension office to report the problem.
Final Tips for Effective Spotted Lanternfly Control
While they may always be an invasive species, limiting destruction is possible with spotted lanternfly control. Taking preventive steps to slow down the spread of these harmful pests without harming beneficial bugs is the best way to stop this invasive species from destroying our orchards and woods.
This article about spotted lanternfly control on hobby farms was written for Hobby Farms magazine. Click here to subscribe.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *