While there are still a lot of questions surrounding spotted lanternfly in Georgia, I wanted to give everyone a brief update on what we do know.
What is a spotted lanternfly?
- The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is a non-native invasive leaf-hopper insect that feeds on the sap of various plant species. Since they were first found in Pennsylvania in 2014, their population has grown incredibly quickly, and is now spreading across the country.
Where are spotted lanternflies from?
- They are native to East Asia, which has a similar climate to parts of the Mid-west and Mid-Atlantic regions. However, it is predicted that much of northern Georgia will be suitable for spotted lanternfly establishment.
What do spotted lanternflies eat?
- Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is one of their preferred plant host species and is a non-native invasive tree in our region.
- However, spotted lanternflies have a broad host range, including ornamental and woody plants, making it a threat to variety of crops, particularly grapes.
How do the spotted lanternflies feed?
- They feed using a piercing-sucking mouthpart that can tap through the bark like a straw to feed on the phloem and zylem.
- When the lanternflies feed, they excrete honeydew, which is a sugary substance that supports the growth of black sooty mold. The mold is not harmful to humans, but can cover leaves and damage fruit, leading to decreased fruit quality.
Can the spotted lanternfly bite or sting?
- No, the Spotted Lanternfly does not bite or sting, and is considered to be harmless to both humans and pets.
Why are spotted lanternflies such a concern?
- Spotted lanternflies feed on a wide range of plant species, stressing and occasionally killing plants.
- They are primarily agricultural pests that can cause significant damage to grape vines, reducing crop yields and fruit quality, and potentially tainting the wine.
- Thankfully, rarely does the feeding kill established trees; however, spotted lanternfly feeding has been linked to the death of grape vines, tree of heaven, and black walnut saplings.
- Healthy and established ornamental trees have not been recorded to have died from spotted lanternfly, though branch dieback and plant health decline has been observed.
- Additionally, sooty mold growth, which is supported by the honeydew excretion, can has the potential to kill groundcover plants, particularly those below large populations of spotted lanternflies in trees.
How are spotted lanternflies spreading across the country so quickly?
- With each female lanternfly capable of laying an egg mass containing 30-50 eggs, spotted lanternfly numbers can increase drastically within only a few years.
- Females also lay their inconspicuous egg masses on almost any surface, including rail cars, shipping containers, trailers, outdoor equipment, nursery stock and planters, etc., which makes it very easy for people to transport these pests from one area to another.
- Additionally, adults can also “hitchhike” on vehicles and travel to new places.
How do I identify spotted lanternflies?
- Adults lay eggs in masses in the late fall on trees, under bark, posts, lawn furniture, cars, trailers, outdoor grills, and on many other surfaces.
- The eggs are the overwintering stage.
- Freshly laid egg masses are approximately 1 inch long and 3/4 inch wide, light gray and mud-like, while older masses become more of a light tan in color.
- Spotted lanternflies go through five stages of growth after hatching from eggs.
- The first four stages are called nymphs and do not have wings.
- The young nymphs are black with bright white spots and are approximately ¼ inch long.
- Each consecutive nymphal stage is similar, but the nymphs become larger.
- The fourth nymphal stage is vividly red with distinct patches of black and white spots.
- Adult spotted lanternflies are about 1 inch long, with tan upper wings with black spots, and prominent bright red lower wings with black spots and black and white bands that are most visible during flight.
When should I expect to see spotted lanternflies in my vineyard?
- While we don’t know exactly how they will behave in Georgia, in the mid-Atlantic region, the spotted lanternflies emerge from their eggs in early May, begins feeding on host plants, and then matures into adults as early as July.
- The adults lay eggs in the fall, but are active until the first hard frost.
What can I do about spotted lanternflies?
- Since they are still new to Georgia, the first line of defense is to keep an eye out for spotted lanternflies.
- During the winter and early spring, particularly in areas near tree of heaven and grapes, check for egg masses.
- Eggs can be crushed and destroyed to prevent them from hatching the following season.
- In the early summer, spotted lanternfly nymphs are small and can be difficult to see, but they tend to feed on softer tissue and new growth and are often found on the undersides of leaves.
- Adults will be more likely present on the trunks of trees and can be seen flying and gliding around areas where they are feeding.
- Traps can be useful monitoring tools by placing them on host plants (eg. tree of heaven) to intercept the lanternflies as they move.
- Penn State has directions on how to make and deploy Circle traps to monitor for spotted lanternflies: https://extension.psu.edu/how-to-build-a-spotted-lanternfly-circle-trap
- And if you find a spotted lanternfly, make sure to report it (see below)
Where can I report spotted lanternfly sightings?
- You can report an observation with a photo online to the University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at https://www.gainvasives.org/slf/report/
Should I panic?
- No. However, we need to work as an industry to monitor, track, and manage this new pest.
Where can I learn more about spotted lanternflies?
- StopSLF.org: https://www.stopslf.org/resources/
- Spotted Lanternfly Management in Vineyards: https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly-management-in-vineyards
- Spotted Lanternfly Management in Nurseries, Orchards, Vineyards, and Natural Areas in South Carolina and Georgia: https://lgpress.clemson.edu/publication/spotted-lanternfly-management-in-nurseries-orchards-vineyards-and-natural-areas-in-south-carolina-and-georgia/
- Penn State Extension: https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly
