THE PROJECT

The spotted lanternfly… They are EVERYWHERE!  You have probably seen them around your home, in the streets of NYC, and even clumped together on trees in the park. It is safe to say that these pests are causing quite a nuisance. Local officials have gone as far as encouraging residents to squish them on sight, and New Yorkers have taken this task seriously. This urgent action is necessary because, besides being annoying, the spotted lanternflies pose a threat to woody plants such as red maple, black cherry, and apple trees, putting NY vineyards and crops at risk. In fact, Senator Schumer issued a call to action last year, urging education and eradication efforts to combat the spotted lanternfly menace (Schumer Reveals, 2022).

As a response to this issue, the primary goal of our work is to understand how spotted lanternflies exchanges information with each other and their environment. We aim to uncover their foraging and communication pathways, such as forming clusters or aggregations, finding mates, and locating preferred food resources.  By obtaining this crucial information, we hope to contribute to improved pest management strategies. This research can guide targeted insecticide application and identify attractive chemicals like pheromones, which can be used to monitor and suppress pest populations.

THE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY

Contrary to its name, the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is actually a true bug (Family Hemiptera) and not a fly (Family Diptera which includes house flies and mosquitos). It undergoes a developmental cycle, progressing from an egg to nymph, and finally reaching adulthood. The life cycle of the spotted lanternfly spans throughout the summer, with distinct stages appearing at different times. In early spring, the eggs hatch, and the nymphs emerge. These nymphs are initially black with white dots then turn red with white dots as they grow. By mid-summer, the nymphs molt into adults, featuring spotted, gray forewings with red hind wings. Arguably, it is a very pretty bug!

Although the spotted lanternfly doesn’t bite or harm humans, its consumption of a variety of trees and plants, especially in large populations, has the potential to cause significant damage.

What can you do to help? If you see it, squish it (very effective at killing the bug). Once you’ve dealt with the bug, make sure to report it to the State Department of Agriculture (in New York state email spottedlanternfly@agriculture.ny.gov). Many areas in the tri-state region are under a spotted lanternfly quarantine, so it is crucial to comply with regulations, particularly when traveling. As Spring approaches, consider reaching out to your local park about and participate in an “Easter” Egg Hunt: spotted lantern bug edition.  Folks get together to hunt for, and squish, spotted lanternfly eggs. Our lab usually attends the Egg hunt at Greenwoods Cemetery in Brooklyn, NYC.