A new invasive insect is moving across the United States. It is only just a matter of time before it shows up in Wisconsin. Native to China, the spotted lanternfly was first found in Pennsylvania in 2014. Since then it has been gradually entering other states.
PJ Liesch, the director of the UW-Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab, also known as the Wisconsin Bug Guy, shares more on what this fly is and how it will impact Wisconsin farmers.
The spotted lantern fly has a very distinctive appearance. The adults are about an inch long and when they are standing still, their wings fold over their body and are a grayish color with a distinctive polka dot pattern. The black polka dots along with tiny dashed lines, look similar to a morse code pattern. However, when the insect is flying around, the wings are a very vibrant neon pink color.
“That is the adults and if they were to be found this time of the year, that’s what we would be seeing is the adult stage,” says Liesch. “Earlier in the season, the nymphs can be found and are black with some white polka dots on their body.”
While this insect may not be in Wisconsin yet, it is still important to be aware of the impact it can have. The spotted lantern fly poses some risk for us here in Wisconsin in terms of agricultural impact, but also impact to yard and landscape trees. They feed on over seventy types of plants including fruit trees and grapes.
“It turns out that spotted lantern flies are really fond of grape plants to complete their life cycle and simply cause damage,” adds Liesch. “My concern that I have would be for our great vineyard industry here in Wisconsin.”
In addition to those grapes and fruit trees, spotted lantern flies can feed on a pretty wide range of yard and landscape trees. When they feed, they use mouth parts that would remind you of a mosquitoes mouth, to suck fluids out. They can’t digest all the sugars, so they actually excrete excess sugars, called honeydew. This honeydew can drip down, be pretty messy, and grow mold.
The spotted lantern fly is a really good hitchhiker. The various life stages can sometimes hop into a package of commodities like a pallet packed with goods. There have been a few cases here in the state where dead specimens have been found dead on arrival and those commodities originated elsewhere. This goes to show that sometimes these insects can sneak into things and potentially get moved.
“The bigger concern in my mind though are the eggs,” says Liesch. “These insects, thus far from what we’ve been seeing, have one generation per year. If the adults lay eggs on items that are not a tree or shrub such as construction equipment or a truck that then drives to Wisconsin, that could be an easy potential route of introduction.”
Pennsylvania has programs in place and inspections to help minimize the chance of the insect being moved to other states. However, there is still always a chance. If you suspect you have found a spotted lanternfly, be sure to take photos, note the location, and report it to DATCP here.
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