Location: Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit
Project Number: 8010-22000-031-086-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Oct 1, 2019
End Date: Jun 30, 2025
Objective:
Lycorma delicatula (spotted lanternfly) is a serious invasive pest of grapes and potentially of other tree fruit and native forest trees. Management currently relies heavily on repeated insecticide applications and host tree removal. Exploration to identify candidate Asian biological control agents is needed to provide biological control options for long term management of this pest. Evaluation of agents discovered requires additional research on the behavior and ecology of the candidate biocontrol agent.
Approach:
The planned role for the Newark laboratory will be to:
1) Explore in Asia for natural enemies of lanternfly and document their impact and host specificity in Asia.
2) Import and establish quarantine lab cultures of candidate Asian natural enemies.
3) Conduct research on biology and behavior of lanternfly natural enemies in quarantine culture to evaluate their safety and efficacy.
4) If data supports, prepare petitions for eventual field release and wider distribution of lanternfly natural enemies in the U.S.
