Identifying tree and lure choice to increase catch efficacy of the spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula
Start Date
April 2024
Location
2nd floor - Library
Abstract
Spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, is a sapsucking insect native to Southeast Asia, which was introduced into Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since spread throughout the Eastern US. Spotted lanternfly have the highest survival rates on tree of heaven, Ailanthus altissima, but consuming tree of heaven is not mandatory for survival. Traps used to monitor spotted lanternfly are typically placed on tree of heaven, but this tree is not ubiquitous in the US and effectiveness in other trees is not well researched. Furthermore, it is common practice to use methyl salicylate lures as a spotted lanternfly attractant, although there’s only one research paper stating its effectiveness. We trapped spotted lanternfly density on black walnut, sugar maple, and tree of heaven with and without methyl salicylate lures in Switzerland County, Indiana and Hamilton County, Ohio. Our results show that TOH is only preferred by adult spotted lanternfly and that methyl salicylate lures do not significantly increase trap effectiveness.
Identifying tree and lure choice to increase catch efficacy of the spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula
2nd floor - Library
Spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, is a sapsucking insect native to Southeast Asia, which was introduced into Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since spread throughout the Eastern US. Spotted lanternfly have the highest survival rates on tree of heaven, Ailanthus altissima, but consuming tree of heaven is not mandatory for survival. Traps used to monitor spotted lanternfly are typically placed on tree of heaven, but this tree is not ubiquitous in the US and effectiveness in other trees is not well researched. Furthermore, it is common practice to use methyl salicylate lures as a spotted lanternfly attractant, although there’s only one research paper stating its effectiveness. We trapped spotted lanternfly density on black walnut, sugar maple, and tree of heaven with and without methyl salicylate lures in Switzerland County, Indiana and Hamilton County, Ohio. Our results show that TOH is only preferred by adult spotted lanternfly and that methyl salicylate lures do not significantly increase trap effectiveness.
