How You Can Help Curb the Spotted Lanternfly Invasion - Pittsburgh Magazine

CLOSE-UP OF AN ADULT SPOTTED LANTERNFLY | PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK

How can Pittsburgh residents do their part in reducing the spotted lanternfly population as the insect continues to invade the area?

The invasive planthopper, native to Asia, was first discovered in Pennsylvania in Berks County in 2014. It has since spread to 51 of the state's 67 counties, and was first spotted in Allegheny County in 2020.

CLOSE-UP OF A DEVELOPED SPOTTED LANTERNFLY NYMPH.

According to the Penn State Extension, lanternflies lay eggs from September to November and nymphs will begin to hatch from the 1-inch long egg masses from April to July. Adults are beginning to emerge now in late July. When the nymphs first hatch, they are black with white spots and long legs. Developed nymphs are red with black spots and long legs, and adults are pretty beige, red and black spotted moth-like insects.

Masses of the pesky insect have been found feasting on another invasive species — tree-of-heaven — and residents have been killing the quick movers in an attempt to keep them at bay and prevent their destruction.

Brookline resident Kristine Masta told WTAE she arms herself with a flyswatter in the morning to kill up to 1,000 spotted lanternflies a day.

Braley Burke, integrated pest management specialist at Phipps Conservatory, hopes  to give residents insight on the spotted lanternfly during a Lunch and Learn webinar on Tuesday, Aug. 1. The Zoom-conducted webinar begins at noon.

ADULT SPOTTED LANTERNFLIES ARE PICTURED ON TREE BARK IN PENNSYLVANIA.

"During the webinar I will teach participants what the spotted lanternfly is, how it got here, the good and bad news of their invasion and what to do and what not to do to manage them," she explains.

She advises against using pesticides on your property to curb the insect's spread, noting you can do much more damage to your yard and greater environment by using harmful chemicals.

"They will do more damage than the spotted lanternfly will," she adds.

She has heard of residents spraying vinegar on the insects or using Dawn dish soap or Pine-Sol. However, these methods can also kill your plants and harm beneficial species. Dawn can be placed inside of a shop vac to drown the insects that are sucked up through the tool.

A STICKY LANTERNFLY TRAP IS PICTURED. IF USING A STICKY TRAP, COVER IT IN NETTING OR CHICKEN WIRE TO PREVENT OTHER WILDLIFE FROM BECOMING TRAPPED.

Other effective control methods at and near your home include placing circle traps around tree trunks, which will work on the developed nymphs and adults, Braley says. If using a sticky trap, she advises to cover it in chicken wire to prevent other wildlife, such as birds, from becoming trapped.

"Less toxic pesticides like insecticidal soap and neem oil have been shown to kill them and not stay in the environment for a long time, which makes them less likely to hurt beneficial insects," she says.

She cautions that even if you control the population on your property, the spotted lanternfly is a very mobile insect that moves very quickly.

The silver lining, according to Braley, is they don't seem to be as destructive as other invasive species, such as the emerald ash borer. 

"They do kill grapevines and saplings, but they are not likely to kill your other plants," she adds.

However, if left uncontrolled, the state Department of Agriculture cautions their destruction could cause billions in losses to Pennsylvania's economy, adding the insects also like maple, black walnut, birch and willow trees.

"A 2019 economic impact study estimates that, uncontrolled, this insect could cost the state $324 million annually and more than 2,800 jobs," the Department of Agriculture writes.

Braley says scientists are working hard to develop better management techniques for the spotted lanternfly. She expects the invasion will be bad for the next few years, but hopes it has reached its peak. Birds and other insects have been eating the spotted lanternfly, which will also help even things out.

A SPOTTED LANTERNFLY EGG MASS IS PICTURED ON A TREE IN BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. THE EGG MASSES LOOK LIKE SMEARS OF MUD AND CAN BE FOUND ON A NUMBER OF THINGS, INCLUDING RUSTY METAL.

She emphasizes there are still counties in the northern part of Pennsylvania that do not have spotted lanternflies so it is important to check your vehicle or things you are transporting to other counties or states for adults or egg masses to prevent spreading them.

Braley says the adults can cling to your vehicle while traveling up to 80 mph, so carrying them to different areas can be relatively easy.

The Department of Agriculture has also released a Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Map and guidelines for businesses and residents on complying with quarantine measures.

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