Development of behaviorally-based monitoring and biosurveillance tools for the invasive spotted lanternfly (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae)

Authors: NIXON, LAURA - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE); LEACH, HEATHER - Pennsylvania State University; Barnes, Caitlin; URBAN, JULIE - Pennsylvania State University; KIRKPATRICK, DANIELLE - Trece, Inc; Ludwick, Dalton; SHORT, BRENT - Trece, Inc; PFEIFFER, DOUGLAS - Virginia Tech; Leskey, Tracy

Submitted to: Environmental Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/29/2020
Publication Date: 8/21/2020
Citation: Nixon, L.J., Leach, H., Barnes, C.J., Urban, J., Kirkpatrick, D.M., Ludwick, D.C., Short, B., Pfeiffer, D.G., Leskey, T.C. 2020. Development of behaviorally-based monitoring and biosurveillance tools for the invasive spotted lanternfly (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae). Environmental Entomology. 49(5):1117-1126. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvaa084.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvaa084

Interpretive Summary: Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive insect originating in Asia that has been detected in six states of the mid-Atlantic USA including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and West Virginia. This planthopper feeds on the sap of host plants, including grapes, fruit and hardwood trees, causing a decline in plant health. To monitor the spread of this insect, a sticky band is wrapped around the trunk of host trees. However, because of high non-target captures (such as bees, butterflies and vertebrates) on the sticky bands and lack of attraction to this lure, we developed traps based on designs used for weevil species. These so-called circle traps are comprised of screen and wrap around the trunk as well. We found that this circle trap was just as effective at capturing SLF as the sticky band and resulted in reduced captures of non-target organisms based on studies conducted in PA and VA. We also evaluated a newly available commercial lure for SLF but found that it was not attractive and did not increase trap captures.

Technical Abstract: The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula White, is an invasive planthopper (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) that was first detected in the United States in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 2014 and has since spread in the mid-Atlantic region. This phloem-feeding pest has a broad host range, including economically important crops such as grape, and whose feeding causes wilt and dieback of infested plants. Monitoring the presence and abundance of L. delicatula is of utmost importance to develop pest management approaches. Current monitoring practices include sticky bands deployed on tree trunks, sometimes paired with a commercially available methyl salicylate lure. One of the drawbacks associated with sticky bands is the high numbers of non-target captures. Here, we developed traps for L. delicatula based on a circle trap originally designed for weevil species. These traps are comprised of either a metal or a vinyl screen funnel that wraps around the trunk of a tree and guides individuals walking up the trunk into an attached collection device. In 2018 and 2019, we compared several circle trap versions with sticky bands in Pennsylvania and Virginia. In both years, circle trap designs yielded captures that were equivalent to or exceeded captures of L. delicatula on sticky bands. Non-target captures were significantly lower for circle trap designs compared with sticky bands. Presence of a methyl salicylate lure in association with traps deployed on host trees or on vertical tree-mimicking posts did not increase L. delicatula captures compared with unbaited traps. Circle traps, particularly those modified using vinyl screen and a larger collection device, present an alternative to the current approach with reduced non-target capture for monitoring L. delicatula.