Off The Record
If You Ever Spot Spot These Highly Invasive Bugs, Get Rid Of Them Immediately
People are fighting a terrifying beast that seeks to destroy everything it comes into contact with in the eastern United States.
Though they seem innocuous, spotted lanternflies are extremely invasive insects, so treat them with extreme caution if you come across one.
To find out more about the pest you need to eradicate, continue reading!
Searching for “lanternfly” on social media will bring up a number of posts from users who have shared their kills of these Chinese native insects, which begin mating in late summer.
Social media celebrity Marques Brownlee, from New Jersey, writes, “Run over by my car because apparently this lanternfly is a horribly invasive species and everyone should be murdering them.”
Another user shares his triumph over his recent kills: “Out for a walk, saw a spotted lanternfly. STOMP. Yay! 10 feet further on, ooh, another one. STOMP. Yay!”
Attaching a photo of a mass of nymphs on a tree, he then continues to write, “A few feet further on… Oh no.”
Spotted lanternfly
Lycorma delicatula, often known as the spotted lanternfly, is an invasive insect that presents serious risks to the environment and the economy.
It initially arrived in Pennsylvania in 2014, and since then, it has expanded to other regions of North America. It kills plants over time by feeding on hardwoods like maple and walnut trees as well as fruit trees (apple, cherry, or grape).
In addition, they yield a sticky material known as honeydew, which can exacerbate plant damage by fostering the growth of sooty mold.
What do they look like?
About 30 to 50 eggs are laid in a pile that resembles mud and is coated with wax throughout the late summer and early fall. Over time, these aggregates darken from their initial light gray to brownish color.
The nymphs are initially black with white spots upon hatching, but as they become larger, they change to a vibrant scarlet color with black borders and white specks.
When they mature, lanternflies have grayish forewings speckled with black and measure about one inch in length. Their underwings are crimson, dotted with black and surrounded by white.
By puncturing plant tissues with their needle-like mouthparts, they consume plant sap. When plants are fed in large quantities, it can weaken and even kill them.
Impact on Ecosystems and Agriculture
Economic Damage: The spotted lanternfly can cause severe damage to fruit crops such as grapes, apples, and peaches, as well as hardwoods. The feeding activity weakens plants and can lead to significant yield losses.
Ecological Impact: Beyond agriculture, the lanternfly can disrupt local ecosystems. By feeding on a variety of plants, it can alter plant communities and affect the animals that depend on those plants.
Scrape and crush
Due to their rapid proliferation and plant-damaging abilities, spotted lanternflies require a combination of approaches for control and elimination.
The following are some practical methods for controlling and getting rid of these pests:
Egg Masses: Scrape off egg masses from surfaces like tree trunks, fences, or any outdoor objects. Next, place the mass in a sealed bag with alcohol or sanitizer and discard it in the trash.
Nymphs and Adults: Crush nymphs and adults when spotted. You can do this by hand, by foot, or by smashing it with a tool like a broom. Make sure to wear gloves to avoid direct contact.
To stop spotted lanternflies from spreading to other locations, abide by all rules if you’re in a quarantined area.
To support wider control efforts, report sightings to agricultural departments or local authorities.
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