Evidence of receptivity to vibroacoustic stimuli in the spotted lanternfly lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae)

Authors: Rohde, Barukh; COOPERBAND, MIRIAM - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); CANLAS, ISAIAH - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Mankin, Richard

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/6/2022
Publication Date: 10/28/2022
Citation: Rohde, B.B., Cooperband, M.F., Canlas, I., Mankin, R.W. 2022. Evidence of receptivity to vibroacoustic stimuli in the spotted lanternfly lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 115(6):2116-2120. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toac167.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toac167

Interpretive Summary: The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, is an invasive insect first detected in the US in 2014 in Pennsylvania, where it has caused major damage to vineyards. This planthopper has since spread to neighboring states and poses a significant threat to grape production, particularly for the wineries in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. Currently, there are no lures or traps for early detection and management of spotted lanternflies. Scientists from the USDA-ARS, APHIS, and University of New Hampshire conducted laboratory studies to evaluate potential use of acoustic communication in these invasive insects. Results indicated that both adult and immature lanternflies are attracted to broadcasts of 60-Hz acoustic/vibrational stimuli. This work is the first to report acoustic communication in spotted lanternflies and identifies a promising avenue for developing a novel, vibration-based trap for this serious invasive pest.

Technical Abstract: The spotted lanternfly Lycorma delicatula is a polyphagous insect pest that invaded the United States in 2014, in Berks County, Pennsylvania. It has since spread to several northeastern states and poses a significant threat to northeastern grape production. Most studied species of Hemiptera are known to communicate using some form of substrate-borne or airborne vibration, and it is anticipated that vibrational communications will be demonstrated in L. delicatula. This report demonstrates that adult and 4th-instar L. delicatula are attracted in the laboratory towards broadcasts of 60-Hz acoustic/vibrational stimuli, which suggests that both adults and 4th instar nymphs can sense and respond to vibrational stimuli.