Spotted Lanternfly Summit 2025
The 2025 Spotted Lanternfly Summit was held March 11–13 as a three-day webinar.
Agenda
Download the 2025 Spotted Lanternfly Summit Agenda (PDF).
Selected Abstracts
Read abstracts from related scientific articles.
Recordings
View recordings of the 2025 Spotted Lanternfly Summit (YouTube playlist).
Questions and Answers
Day 1
What happens if it gets warm and then suddenly drops?
That is a fantastic question Wendy – we have overwintering egg masses that have experienced different fluctuating temperatures over the winter and we’ve brought them in over time, so we might be able to see cumulative impacts of temperature over the winter.
– Amanda Roe
Great work, Matt. Can you talk a little more about “turning off diapause”? Is this something that happens naturally . . . or some way we could perhaps alter SLF?
In the model, I can turn it off and rerun a simulation. In reality, diapause is not completely fixed because we have precocious hatch (what Melody showed). Because it is not fixed in SLF, there is a possibility for SLF to evolve to lose diapause if they find themselves in a suitable climate. What I showed is that a suitable climate might be really difficult to find because even a little variability pushes the population into decline.
– Matthew Helmus
Will there be some general vineyard spray threshold recommendations published in the near future?
There is experimental work being done on that question. Once those thresholds are identified, the work that I presented can be used to understand the year-to-year variability of those thresholds so that growers can more optimally manage their control timing.
– Matthew Helmus
Are your simulation results for management thresholds available anywhere? Are they published?
No, not yet, our student is still finalizing the results. These results are only for specific vineyard geometries, meaning, they are not general across vineyards at this time.
– Matthew Helmus
Is there a Growing Degree Date to target spray in Vineyard
Hi Thomas, SLF management efforts should focus on controlling adults that usually emerge in August and whose populations increase in vineyards in September–October. There is knowledge on the growing degree days required for the development of each insect stage, but that would be more helpful for monitoring. Sprays should be based on the populations present in the vineyards, because we know the insect feeds on many other plants. We are working on estimating a threshold number (insects per vine) that will require management.
– Flor Acevedo
Would you be willing to repeat this experiment with Malus (apple)?
We don’t plan to do work on apple. Some studies have shown that apple isn’t damaged by SLF. My understanding is that SLF are not a big threat.
– Holly Shugart
Thousands of SLF have floated alive onto the south shore beaches of Long Island, NY (just east of JFK airport) at least two years in a row in mid-August. I assume weather was responsible but did they likely originate from cruise ships that pass in great numbers to the south?
Regarding your question about the spotted lanternfly washing up on the Long Island shoreline. We are aware this has occurred for a few years now. We believe it is due to defuse dispersal where the adults are flying randomly some heading out to sea and eventually land on the ocean surface and then end up washing up on the shoreline.
– Brian Eshenaur
On grapes were SLF able to complete the entire reproductive cycle?
Yes, it has been shown previously that they can complete their life cycle on grape, so we didn’t do that work.
– Holly Shugart
Can SLF survive on citrus alone?
Yes. The nymphs in our study were isolated on citrus trees. The adults don’t prefer citrus, so in a real-world setting, will likely move to another host once they become adults.
– Holly Shugart
How long before hatch do the eggs get parasitized?
We found that in some locations in China the A. orientalis emerged about a week before SLF nymphal hatch, but there were other sites where they hatched simultaneously or after SLF nymphs. This obviously causes concern for their host specificity and is one of the reasons we are not pursuing them further as a candidate biological control agent.
– Hannah Broadley
Hannah: how many parasitoids do you think can be reared for one field season?
At this time, the rearing we are doing of the D. sinicus parasitoids is at the level we need for host range testing and is not yet up to the mass rearing level needed for field releases. We are building up collaborations and studies for mass rearing down the line so that hundreds of thousands of parasitoids can be released in the field. This will be priority work for while the permit is under review.
– Hannah Broadley
If Dryinus sinicus manages to reduce SLF populations if the U.S. employs this species for biocontrol, should we consider introducing another natural enemy for this wasp in case it begins turning to non-target native plant hoppers for nutrition?
Based on the results we are getting from these laboratory studies and from field studies in China, this is not a major concern. We are seeing low, low levels of non-target attack and are seeing this attack in very conservative tests. It is clear from the data, that D. sinicus prefers SLF nymphs over any non-target for its nutritional needs.
– Hannah Broadley
Is there precedent for approving agents who host feed but do not parasitize non-targets?
Other Dryinid species that host feed and parasitize have been used previously as biological control agents and we are evaluating those as example. But more broadly, this is something that we need and will spend more time evaluating in the literature and with other biocontrol systems. A great point to bring up.
– Hannah Broadley
If they would be released, where would the first test site be?
This is a great question. While the Permit for Release is being evaluated, we’ll be using that time to design our planned field deployment protocol.
– Hannah Broadley
Is parasitism seen only in early instars or does it run 1st–4th?
We see D. sinicus parasitizing second instar SLF nymphs mainly though it can use firsts and 3rds.
– Hannah Broadley
I might have missed this, but do we have climatic/geographic suitability information regarding projected success of this parasitoid?
This is a great question as well. Based on what we know to date on its range across China, we expect D. sinicus to have a wide climatic/geographic suitability range but we are still working on delimiting its geographic range across East Asia and still working on those analyses.
– Hannah Broadley
What baseline SLF population will use to release parasitoids?
This is an important factor and one that we will be including as we develop protocols for field releases of this species. We will be working to develop those protocols during the interval that we’re waiting for the permit for release to be evaluated.
– Hannah Broadley
What is the main food source for D. sinicus? Is this different than the “host feeding” you talked about?
Dryinus sinicus feeds on honey/nectar and host feeds on hemolymph from its SLF nymphal prey.
– Hannah Broadley
Flor, does the impact on grapevines depend on age of the vines, and could the impacts on Cab Franc be greater due to longer duration of feeding than Chardonnay?
Dear Kelli, Age would likely have an effect on plant response, but this has not been tested as far as I know. The greater impacts in Cab franc could be due to a longer feeding duration of adults before harvest. in general, the vines were fed by adults for roughly the same number of days, but because Chardonnay is harvested earlier, they were exposed to adults feeding by a slightly fewer number of days.
– Flor Acevedo
Should we expect a statistically-significant difference in pigment concentration in the interior (the fleshy part under the skin) of wine grapes harvested from non-infested and heavily-infested plants?
We didn’t look at the skin and pulp separately, but the juice extracted from grapes heavily infested with SLF did look much paler than the juice extracted from the control (non-infested) vines.
– Flor Acevedo
Will SLF survive on wild grapes?
Yes, SLF survives well in some wild grapes, for example in Vitis riparia.
– Flor Acevedo
Because A. altissima is able to survive in numerous conditions throughout the Eastern US, will E. brandti be able to survive with A. altissima or adapt to survive in the future? Not sure if I missed this or not.
I would say yes, since the overlap of E. brandti and Ailanthus in China is pretty broad.
– Scott Salom
Weevil and wilt could be super successful resulting in lots of dead hazardous trees. Is there concern for that cleanup if the aftermath.
Damage from dead trees will require post-treatment cleanup. We are concerned about restoration of those sites. We are studying what plants colonize sites where the tree is removed and note that without any active restoration, the possibility of other nonnatives colonizing those sites is high.
– Scott Salom
From your experience in handling ToH, how do you avoid getting the odor-producing chemical from the plant on your clothes or skin?
Not so much an issue on clothes or skin, but the rooms we stored them in to rear the weevils became pretty gross . . . lots of mildew and stinky smell.
– Scott Salom
What is the effectiveness of the traps and what lure are you using?
It depends what you are trying to accomplish with them. They can be effective for monitoring, particularly for nymphs, however adults can avoid them easily. As for impacting the population, the results are minimal in impact from our observations. They can catch thousands and thousands, but it’s relative to the scale of the population in the location. There are no lures that have been proven to increase trap efficacy outside of the lab.
– Brian Walsh
Would finer netting help keep SLF off juice grapes? or insecticide treated ones?
In theory, this may be helpful, but the large acreage and economics may not make it possible for juice grape. It may be worth testing feasibility.
– Jennifer Russo
Are the mechanical harvesters often shared/moved between vineyards (as in, are they likely to be a vector for spread?)
Unfortunately, some harvesters are shared/moved between vineyards and custom harvesting. We are working with PDA and NYSDEC to adopt the permit training that exists in the quarantine zone.
– Jennifer Russo
Brian, are the results of the SLF Mechanical Harvester Initial Study published and if so, where can we find it?
This study has not been published.
– Holly Shugart
Nice talk, Brian! Any plans to use infrared thermography for SLF adult detection with drones?
Thank you Houping. There are no plans for infrared yet, the harvesters are the priority at the moment.
– Brian Walsh
What are your thoughts about treating egg masses? Do you recommend ovicides or is it best to wait until after hatch to treat?
USDA treats egg masses with soybean oil, but PDA does not. We find that it is harder to treat them effectively when most egg masses are out of reach for backpack treatment equipment, and we can’t broadcast treat them. So in our opinion it is better to treat after hatch.
– Zachary Hetrick
A colleague contacted me about something he found during a hike. When he shined a black light on the egg masses, they glowed a dark red. This means that the masses absorb frequencies of light that isn’t red light – meaning it could be possible that UV light can degrade egg masses and render them nonviable. Is this research that someone may be looking into?
I’ve not had that experience with a black light, but I would think that UV light from the sun would degrade them best if it was going to happen.
– Brian Walsh
Has there been any studies completed on tree of heaven compared to ornamentals specifically, or just crops?
There have been several studies on feeding impacts to ornamentals, not specifically comparing ailanthus with ornamentals. This one comes readily to mind: Impacts of short-term feeding by spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) on ecophysiology of young hardwood trees in a common garden.
– Brian Walsh
Day 2
The slide said 18 states but haven’t they also been found in Iowa, Vermont, and New Hampshire?
Those 3 states were all regulatory incidents, no known established infestations.
– Scott Schirmer
When you say regulatory incidents is that like the sculpture that technically crossed the California border but was intercepted or do you mean they only found say one adult once but no known reproducing population?
Hi Cindy, A regulatory incident can include both scenarios, a single adult or egg masses that cross from infested to non-infested areas without a known reproducing population. Yes, that was the incident I was referring to. Let me know if you have any other questions!
– Brianna Flonc
Can you speak to the bycatch differences in traps used currently and in the past? Thanks!
Yes, thank you for your question! In the past, the SLF Program relied on sticky band traps to collect nymphs and adults moving up and down host trees, but there were concerns of animals getting caught or injured from the trap. The Bug Barrier trap decreased wildlife bycatch by providing a shield over the sticky area. Circle traps were found to be effective in catching a higher volume of SLF, and limited the amount of wildlife bycatch significantly since they do not contain a sticky element. The egg mass traps do not have an actual “trap” component that captures or kills entering SLF, so there is no real bycatch associated with these traps either. Thank you!
– Brianna Flonc
What is the outlook for federal assistance for SLF and the RIFs
We are awaiting guidance on this. We will update the program and cooperators as we learn more.
– Brianna Flonc
Is there a list available of USDA funds given to each state for SLF treatments?
The FY25 PPA 7721 Spending Plan was recently published and can be viewed online. The Spending Plan shows the projects that received funding for each state. Thank you for your question!
– Brianna Flonc
Will the ArcGIS data collection be something that state employees will have access to?
Yes! The SLF Program data is housed within our ArcGIS Portal but State Cooperators can request access to their state’s map to view and record data, with approval from the SPRO and/or SPHD.
– Brianna Flonc
Hi Brianna, I apologize for coming in late. I wanted to ask to see if there are any trapping methods for fourth instars and adult females?? My thinking was that if there was something that can be figured out, this would prevent them from developing into adults and reproducing.
No worries, Rebekka! The SLF Program uses circle traps to catch SLF adults and nymphs. This trap does not contain a lure, so we place it on Tree of Heaven instead. You can find images of the trap online if you are not familiar. We also use a new trap called the Lampshade Trap which provides a “protected” inlet where adult SLF will lay eggs. Some research is also occurring to find ways to impact SLF development and reproduction. We are hoping to add more tools to our toolbox as we learn more. Thank you for your question!
– Brianna Flonc
Brianna, how are planes treated in established states?
Aircrafts containing cargo may be fumigated to ensure pests are not transported long distance, but the SLF Program does not handle these treatments. We focus more on knocking down SLF populations around tarmac areas and vegetation on the airport grounds. Even if fumigations are occurring and killing SLF, transport of dead SLF is also a concern and considered a regulatory incident. Thank you for your question!
– Brianna Flonc
In New Jersey, is the outreach effort focused on raising awareness to prevent the movement of SLF out of the state, to direct people to management information or are there areas in NJ that are still considered uninfested?
We are fully infested with SLF throughout NJ. Outreach initially focused on reporting but later switched to “stomp it out” encouraging people to step on SLF. We also encouraged people to visit our website to get more information.
– Saul Vaiciunas
Saul – is the mortality rate based on herbicide treatment?
No, we are looking at mortality of trees that were never treated with herbicide. We attribute the mortality to many years of SLF feeding combined with some fairly severe drought in 2023 and 2024.
– Saul Vaiciunas
David, which pathways are the most difficult to manage? I’m guessing RR’s? Thx
Railroads are the most difficult (impossible) to deal with. 55–60% of our new detections are associated with railroads. Mass shipping sites as well (Amazon, Lowes, Harbor Freight, etc. . . . distribution centers). They have contract truckers who are very difficult to work with.
– David Gianino
And what is VDACS doing about SLF now? Thx
Currently, VDACS is issuing permits, enforcing our quarantine until it is repealed, treating egg masses and nymphs, treating adults with insecticides (injections), and surveying for SLF. Additionally, we are pushing for a huge outreach campaign that will set up local governments and state agencies to treat/manage SLF on their own. All our treatments are on high priority, at-risk sites for long distance dispersal . . . specifically trying to slow it from getting to Norfolk.
– David Gianino
Does VA still plan to treat for SLF?
We treat on a very limited basis. USDA-PPQ does some knock-down treatments in the infested/quarantined areas. VDACS staff are treating egg masses and nymphs/adults in high risk, transportation areas, with a goal to slow its distribution to uninfested counties in VA and to slow it from getting to Norfolk.
But again, very limited.
– David Gianino
Question for VA – for States that have external quarantine requirements. How will trucks from VA meet the permitting requirement to enter those states?
They can get a permit from the Pennsylvania SLF permitting system, which should be accepted by states with exterior quarantines, because our training in VA copied the same layouts/content from PA.
Additionally, we can set up a compliance agreement with the business in VA to meet entry requirements of the importing state.
– David Gianino
If there is no quarantine how can you issue a compliance agreement. This may be for exporting to the free states.
Our Tree and Crop Pests Law allows VDACS to issues agreements generally, for the movement of products to other states.
– David Gianino
David, we have seen SLF coming in on large trees. I think it is very important to do heavy training for nurseries selling large caliper trees that must be pulled over to see the top branches where SLF egg masses are found.
Gary, our inspectors and our SLF team have provided some training to nurseries in the quarantined area, but as we deregulate, we are planning more outreach events directly with nurseries. I communicated with all my inspector staff this year to get their assigned nurseries up to speed. In those cases, we would stop sale those plants with SLF on the trees in the nursery, until they are exported out of the state.
– David Gianino
Vince, how are you funding the SLF and TOH survey work?
Hi Gary, our funding comes from PPA7721 goal 6.
– Vince Burkle
Hi Vince, how will canine surveys interact with graduate student research in the future?
Hi Rebekka, we would be happy to assist in any way we can.
– Vince Burkle
Vince, do you all train your own dogs or do you work with another organization for training?
Kallie Bontrager is training her own dogs. She is the only handler currently. At this point we have not used another organization.
– Eric Biddinger
Question for IN – Where does your funding come from for treatment? What sorts of sites are selected for treatment?
Our funding comes from PPA7721 goal 6.
– Vince Burkle
Question for Michael Falk: Do you expect SLF to arrive in Wisconsin through nurseries more than any other pathway?
Hard to say, based on what I’ve heard from other states my guess is that railways may be the most likely pathway, but nurseries are a big possibility as well.
– Michael Falk
Hi Michael, great talk, can VT Ag get a copy of your response plan? We have one but would like to hone it a bit. Thanks!
I can certainly look into that. We update it annually so I’ll need to check in on its current status. I’ll email you!
– Michael Falk
Vince, can you provide a link to find out more about the dog sniffing program? One question that comes to mind is how far up the tree can they typically smell?
Hi Kate, Kallie Bontrager trains her own dogs and doesn’t use a particular program, but if you would want to reach out to her I’m sure she would be glad to help. Here’s her email: kbontrager@dnr.in.gov
– Vince Burkle
Have there been any more sightings in Cumberland County? Is there a way to keep up with it in the future?
No sightings in Cumberland County.
– Anni Self
Why is TDoT removing ToH???? There must be another reason bedside the SLF
There are other reasons besides SLF. ToH forms this clumps that interferes with visibility, and the roots have also grown under the pavement in the city, which has caused problems.
– Anni Self
Anni, thanks for the talk! How do you plan to use the dogs for adult SLF?
They are training to detect all life stages, so we will use them for survey, and to clear shipments of nursery stock leaving the state.
– Anni Self
Is the longer active season in TN attributed to being further south (warm temperatures for longer)?
That would be my guess, but I don’t have the data to support that theory.
– Anni Self
Is the meta data of the submitted pictures available so that you can check the GPS?
Not always. We have them send any picture and sometimes we cannot check the GPS coordinates.
– Rosalee Knipp
Do you foresee any concerns confirming finds if the adults have flown away and the dogs are smelling residual odor?
The dogs are typically trained/used to find egg masses, not adults.
– Eric Biddinger
Andy, who is doing the environmental chambers research at USFS?
I believe this is being done by Dr. Melody Keena who presented yesterday.
– Brian Walsh
Calif has special import/quarantine regulations on logs being brought into the state?
There are no general regulations for logs or firewood; however there are state exterior quarantines that may apply based on the pest and/or origin, e.g. SLF.
– Andy Cline
California has border stations but they are not manned 24 hours a day although traffic is open to pass 24 hours a day . . . is anything being done to increase funding to allow 24 hour manning of the border stations?
Border stations are generally open 24/7, 365 days a year. However, passenger lanes may not be manned depending on staffing levels.
– Andy Cline
Hi Andy, how has California contributed to outreach to the public (alongside farmers) in the Central Valley and Coastal areas?
CDFA has performed and continues to perform outreach in multiple areas of the state for SLF and other pests of concern. If you have any suggestions for outreach opportunities, please feel free to reach out.
– Andy Cline
For CA – with no federal requirements and knowing that SLF is present elsewhere in the world, e.g. China, Japan, Korea – can you mention how imports from these areas are being dealt with outside of surveillance in the ports
SLF is still regulated by the USDA/CBP at ports of entry. Please reach out if you have specific questions regarding federal actions related to SLF and we would be happy to engage with the USDA.
– Andy Cline
Are there observations of more egg masses being laid on other trees as opposed to tree of heaven? I have noticed preference of egg masses being laid on other trees surrounding TOH
That is a very common observation. SLF frequently (not always) move off of the trees they are feeding on at egg deposition time. Also, in PA, the ailanthus (TOH) is often completely senesced at the time of egg laying and they’ve moved onto other hosts.
– Brian Walsh
Brianna, which class 1 railroads have SLF positives? I know it’s on CSX & NS, but I don’t know about the other 4
CSX and NS are the main class 1 railroads that we encounter in infested states. I am not sure what you mean by positives. but several other class 1 rail lines also have portions of rail that go through states with infestations, like Amtrak and CPK. Any of the railroads that cut through infested territories would have the potential to transport SLF, but we don’t have certain rail lines listed as having positives.
– Brianna Flonc
Comment here about the nymph plant hosts I see many feeding on oriental bittersweet here in NJ
Yes, the nymphs really love this invasive species!!
– Holly Shugart
We have seen them on oaks and under the bark when applicable depending on the site i.e., along a railway. Have other states seen the SLF deposit eggs on oaks as well?
We’ve seen them on oaks in TN.
– Anni Self
Day 3
Are most growers using drip to apply neonics?
In Georgia, it’s a small fraction that use drip, but as new vineyards are going in, they seem to be moving towards implementing drip irrigation, in part, to help with sharpshooter management.
– Brett Blaauw
What is Pearson’s disease?
extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B1514&title=pierces-disease-of-grape-identification-and-management
– Sarah Lowder
ipm.ucanr.edu/agriculture/grape/pierces-disease/#gsc.tab=0
– Holly Shugart
How long does Dinotefuran stay in the vine?
In theory, it can be detected in plant tissue for months, but in terms of efficacy against insects, if applied to the roots, it can get 3–6 weeks of activity.
– Brett Blaauw
What is the difference between chinaberry and hackberry?
Hackberry is a native tree. Chinaberry is native to Asia and this overlaps with SLF native range. Also, to my knowledge SLF do not spend time on hackberry.
– Holly Shugart
Do we know if it’s best to remove host plants like tree of heaven, or leave them and use them as trap trees or spots for monitoring? How do we know that removing other hosts won’t make more SLF move into grape?
SLF tends to hang out in barrier tree lines and then fly in as adults. ToH and chinaberry are invasive in their own right, and removing them in your tree line can make the whole area (including your vineyard) less favorable for SLF. That said, it’s up to your own cost/benefit analysis. We’ve seen good success with growers cutting down trees and treating stumps.
– Amy Michael
I realize grapes are self-pollinated, but how often do sweat bees or wasps visit Vitis flowers? Are pre-bloom applications of imidacloprid controversial?
Great question! Like Sarah mentioned, there are usually more attractive flowers to bees than grape flowers in the landscape, however, bees can and will visit grape flowers. As such, there is a potential risk for bees if imidacloprid is applied. I have not heard of any issues arising yet, but something to keep an eye on. I would also be cautious in making sure not to apply imidacloprid to any flowering weeds growing within the vineyard.
– Brett Blaauw
I realize grapes are self pollinated, but how often do sweat bees or wasps visit Vitis flowers? Are pre-bloom applications of imidacloprid controversial?
There can be pollinators around the vineyard, even if they don’t visit the Vitis flowers, there are often more “exciting” flowers in the alley floors of the vineyards. We always try to recommend that insecticides are sprayed in the evening.
– Sarah Lowder
Can Amy post the reference for the ’50s reference for SLF and chinaberry?
Turns out it was even earlier! Chou, I., & Jinsheng, L. (1946). A study on Lycorma delicatula White (Fulgoridae, Homoptera). Insecta Sinensium, 1, 53–86.
– Amy Michael
Do you all have mechanical methods to deal with egg masses?
Our management team uses paint scrapers and wire brushes.
– Amy Michael
Do you all have mechanical methods to deal with egg masses?
The SLF Program does a lot of mechanical removal of egg masses in high-risk properties for spread and to agriculture using paint rollers and extension poles, especially when temperatures are below 40F and GPSO cannot be used. Penn State performed a multi-year study to determine the height SLF lay eggs, and they found approximately 50% of egg masses were laid above 3-meters and 50% were below 3-meters, so there are still many egg masses within reach that can be removed. We also have new lampshade traps that create “protected” inlets where SLF will lay eggs that we can then destroy.
– Brianna Flonc
Do you all have mechanical methods to deal with egg masses?
We have found it more effective to wait for hatch and then kill the nymphs with a contact insecticide. Eggs are notoriously difficult to locate and frequently placed high in trees. Ovicides require thorough coverage that can be difficult to achieve on the majority of egg masses present in a location. We always say that if you can safely scrape them, do so, but especially for growers, it’s more cost effective and a better use of time to hit the early nymphs when they are very susceptible to even the softest of insecticides.
– Brian Walsh
That is what we do but we also spray golden oil
Bifenthrin is one of the few chemistries we can use since we’re using USDA funds to treat on an environmental scale. If you have a different contact insecticide on hand, check with your extension agent to see if that product could work.
– Amy Michael
Gotcha! For our landscape-scale management, we map everything, scrape what we can reach, and hit it with bifenthrin when we reach ~50% hatch.
– Amy Michael
Are there limitations with what chemicals that grape growers in NY can use vs what’s approved in other states?
Absolutely. Growers need to make sure that a specific product is registered for their state and that it is used within label restrictions. In some cases the same product (active ingredient/ rate) may be registered in one state by one manufacturer (under a specific trade name) and by a different manufacturer (different trade name) in another state.
– Brian Walsh
What is the Ohio budget for SLF outreach and what is the funding source?
I am not sure – I would reach out to Jonathon Shields with the ODA.
– Ashley Leach
I was at a conference in Cleveland last year, and SLF was all over the city . . . not hard to find.
Yes – Cleveland has had a particularly bad infestation.
– Ashley Leach
Is Ashley Leach Heather’s sister?
yes. :)
– Ashley Leach
Can the egg masses of other important insects be confused with the SLF or spongy moth?
I have had issues with stakeholders confusing SLF egg masses with wasps’ nests, spongy moth, scale insects too.
Ashley Leach
How big is the population in Lawrence? Is it overwintering as well as in Springfield?
Looking at the Ohio Map – agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/invasive-pests/invasive-insects/slf I would expect there was an overwintering population.
– Ashley Leach
This should have been directed to Elizabeth in regards to MA.
We aren’t seeing any evidence of issues with over winter survival in Springfield. The Lawrence population is one of the newer ones, so it is still relatively patchy.
– Elizabeth Barnes
Can you share the origami pattern?
You can find all three and our other resources here: massnrc.org/pests/pestFAQsheets/spottedlanternfly.html
– Elizabeth Barnes
I always thought praying mantis egg masses, especially when they’re laid on posts, can look similar to SLF egg masses too! Could be an important distinction – wouldn’t want folks destroying those! Have you had any folks with that confusion?
Kyle – that’s a good one too! I haven’t had anyone confuse that, but I’m sure others have. They look similar.
– Ashley Leach
The Ohio Department of Agriculture funds our SLF response through PPA 7721. Outreach is a component of that. We also do outreach under a “Forest Pest Outreach” grant also through PPA 7721. In 2023, ODA and our extension partners received a one-time grant through the US EPA for SLF outreach efforts.
An important note on the Ohio hexagon map that Ashley shared: That map shows the distribution of REPORTS of SLF. Many of the colored hexagons were determined to be other insects, or were single individuals but no established population.
How well does SLF survive/reproduce if no TOH present?
Robin, it does just fine in TN!
– Anni Self
There is paper from Korea about trap crops of TOH next to vineyards that were used when designing the initial response in PA. So it has been studied.
Do we know if SLF feeds on kudzu?
Not that I am aware of, but I’ve wondered that too.
– Julie Urban
Hi Julie, I have seen egg masses laid on Magnolia trees here in Tennessee. I am waiting to see if any instar nymphs will feed on it.
We have seen occasional magnolia feeding in areas where all the spots on ToH and poison ivy are taken in North Carolina.
– Amy Michael