Development and survivorship of Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) on cultivated and native Vitis spp. (Vitales: Vitaceae) of the Eastern United States

Authors: ELSENSOHN, JOHANNA - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); NIXON, LAURA - Orise Fellow; KLOOS, ALYSSA - Virginia Tech; Leskey, Tracy

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/20/2023
Publication Date: 11/1/2023
Citation: Elsensohn, J., Nixon, L., Kloos, A., Leskey, T.C. 2023. Development and survivorship of Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) on cultivated and native Vitis spp. (Vitales: Vitaceae) of the Eastern United States. Journal of Economic Entomology. 116(6):2207-2211. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toad198.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toad198

Interpretive Summary: Spotted lanternfly , SLF (Lycorma delicatula), is an invasive species of significant concern to U.S. agriculture especially for the wine and grape industries. The winegrape, Vitis vinifera, is a complete nutritional source for immature SLF development, and adults invade vineyards in large numbers beginning in early September, complicating pest management in the final weeks before grape harvest. Further, SLF of all life stages have been found on other cultivated and wild grape (Vitis) species. This is the first study to compare the survivorship and development of SLF on five Vitis species to assess comparative performance of the insect. We added freshly hatched SLF to cages of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Concord, Muscadine, wild river grape, and tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) plants, and observed the development and mortality of these insects over their lifetime. We found that the winegrape Pinot Noir and river grape (V. riparia) supported the highest rates of SLF survival to adulthood, equal to the preferred host tree of heaven. Chardonnay was almost as good as the top performing plants. These results suggest winegrapes are as susceptible to SLF feeding as the wild-growing river grape and tree-of-heaven for season-long feeding. We used winegrape varieties and rootstocks adapted to the mid-Atlantic region, so further research should reassess the suitability of California-adapted winegrape species for SLF development.

Technical Abstract: As Lycorma delicatula (White) (Hempitera: Fulgoridae) continues to spread across the United States, more winegrapes are potentially susceptible to damage from this pest. Lycorma delicatula is primarily associated with Ailanthus altissima, a tree from its native range that is now globally distributed. While L. delicatula is a known pest of cultivated Vitis spp. in South Korea, its relationship with the specific grape species grown in the United States is unclear. This study assessed L. delicatula survivorship and development on five Vitis species, including two winegrape V. vinifera varieties, ‘Pinot Noir’ and ‘Chardonnay’, and the concord grape, V. labrusca,River grape, V. riparia and the muscadine grape, V. rotundifolia ‘Carlos’. A diet of A. altissima served as a positive control. L. delicatula provided with a diets of V. riparia and V. vinifera ‘Pinot Noir’ yielded the highest survivorship and fastest rates of development among grape diets and were statistically equivalent to those provided. A. altissima. Vitis rotundifolia did not support L. delicatula growth past the third instar life stage, indicating this species is a poor host for early development of this pest. Our results indicate that both V. riparia and V. vinifera are favorable hosts for L. delicatula and may provide the means for this insect to invade and establish in new regions.