Spotted Lanternfly- Battle Tactics!

Updated: Apr 7, 2022

An invasive species from Asia, the spotted lanternfly has established breeding populations in the Mid-Atlantic states. The spotted lanternfly threatens several industries and ecosystems, feeding on a wide range of fruit, ornamental, and woody trees. But, like many ecological challenges, mother nature and homeowners can collaborate to control this invasion.

Homeowner game plan

Eliminate Breeding Opportunities

A homeowner's highest priority is eliminating the Tree of Heaven from their property. This invasive ornamental tree serves as the spotted lanternfly preferred host plant. The Tree of Heaven is a magnet for spotted lanternfly breeding populations. Scientists also believe that ingesting the sap from the Tree of Heaven may be a defensive adaptation that makes the SLF taste bitter to birds.

Tree of Heaven (Stock Photo)

Remove Egg Masses

Spotted lanternfly lay their eggs in mid to late fall on our near their favorite host trees (Tree of Heaven, Red Maple, Willow). Spotted lanternflies prefer to lay egg masses in protected areas such as the undersides of tree limbs, picnic tables, and other outdoor surfaces that are horizontal or angled toward the ground.

Should you find SLF eggs, use a putty knife or a credit card to scrape the egg mass into a solution of rubbing alcohol or soap detergent.

Hand to hand Combat

The adult SLF has one evasive maneuver- jump forward. Knowing this makes them easy to catch. My preferred method is to place the mouth of a gallon milk jug with an inch of soapy water directly in front of the SLF, and they will dutifully jump in the jug to meet their merciful end in the soapy water. At the height of the SLF season, I will jug over 100 per day with little time and effort. Spotted lanternfly bounties and competitions are a fun and useful activity for your kids and their friends.

Lanternflies prefer starting at the bottom of a tree and slowly creeping up to heights beyond your reach. To "prompt " them to restart their journey, set your hose attachment on "jet" and spray the tree trunk as high as possible. Dozens of disturbed SLF will jump out of the tree and restart their journey up the tree within reach of your milk jug!

Mother Nature Strikes Back!

Nature abhors a vacuum- Aristotle.

The prevailing opinion in SLF literature is that these invasive pests have no natural enemies. The "natural" part of this description is accurate, but plenty of spotted lanternfly enemies are marshaling their forces in our backyard.

Birds

According to entomologist and author Doug Tallamy, 96% of terrestrial birds feed insects to their young. It's hard to imagine all that insect protein going to waste. Nevertheless, some adventurous birds are dining on SLF. Over the past year, photographers have documented documenting catbirds, wrens, and bluebirds munching spotted lanternflies.

(stock photo)

Here are my neighbors' chickens feasting on SLF

Insects and Spiders

Our invertebrate predators have discovered the spotted lanternfly as a food source. Spiders, wasps, assassin bugs, and praying mantis have added SLF to their menu. Ironically, the Chinese Mantis, an invasive species that shares the SLF native range, could become a key predator in controlling the adult SLF population.

Stock photos

I shot two videos in October 2020 of a yellow jacket dismembering a SLF to feed its larva.

Scientists in a USDA quarantined lab are conducting a 3-year study of two predatory wasps native to China. One wasp lays its eggs in the SLF egg mass, the second wasp prey on nymphs. I am hoping these scientists are familiar with the work of Michael Crichton.

Is milkweed a secret weapon vs. SLF?

The sap of the milkweed plant provides two effective defenses against insect foragers. First, the latex sap glues the mouthparts of non-adapted insects that feed on its leaves. Second, milkweed sap contains toxins that few insects can survive ingesting. Notably, Monarch caterpillars and milkweed bugs are among the few insects that can beat both milkweed's defense tactics.

Spotted lanternflies appear to be drawn to milkweed. While there is no scientific data to support spotted lanternflies are dying from ingesting milkweed sap, researchers are collecting data. It would be a delicious irony (worthy of HG Wells) if a native plant defeated our alien invaders!

Below: SLF nymph on milkweed.

Does this spotted lanternfly nymph have the evolutionary chops to digest milkweed sap?

Traps and Chemicals

Sticky traps wrapped around tree trunks and poison will kill spotted lanternflies. Unfortunately, these tactics are not species-specific and cause collateral damage to native insects.