Category

spotted lanternfly

Aug 03
0

Captain Stan’s ‘Creature Features’ Volume 5 – Spotted Lanternfly August 2022

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Welcome to the fifth edition of ‘Captain Stan’s Creature Features,’ where we are looking at some of the more interesting animals in the pest management universe.  This month, we take a closer look at the dreaded Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), Insect Order: Hemiptera (“Half-winged”). Here are some fun and useful facts: 

 

  1. The adult spotted lanternfly (SLF) is about an inch long and ½ inch wide. They are typically weak fliers.

 

  1. The preferred food is the ‘Tree of Heaven.’  When feeding, SLFs suck in sap and then excrete honeydew, which can attract other insects and cause mold to grow on the plants.

 

  1. The SLF is native to China, India, and Viet Nam. It is an invasive species in the United States, first detected in Pennsylvania in September 2014.

 

  1. SLF adults and nymphs can be trapped on a tree by banding the tree with a sticky trap.

 

  1. A SLF egg mass can produce 30-50 individuals. Egg masses may be laid on cars so if you are in a SLF area, inspect your car and remove any egg masses by scraping them off and disposing of them.
Mar 17
0

Inspecting a Vehicle for the Spotted Lanternfly

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The Spotted Lanternfly

The spotted lanterfly (SLF) is an invasive pest and a threat to crops and trees and inspecting a vehicle for the pest is an important management technique.  Currently, the pest is infesting areas in the Northeastern United States.  However, it is a threat to spread to other areas.  Despite the name, the spotted lanternfly is not a strong flyer.   It most often hitchhikes to new areas. Therefore, when visiting an area infested with the spotted lanternfly, it is important to inspect your vehicle and stop the spread.  The following information will help to conduct a thorough inspection.

Life Cycle

Before leaving an SLF-infected area thoroughly inspect the vehicle and its contents for SLF.  It is important to become familiar with identifying the spotted lanternfly at the different stages of its life cycle. Depending upon the time of the year, look for SLF in egg masses, nymphs and adults.

  • Spring and Summer: nymphs and adult SLF
  • Fall: Adult SLF
  • Fall, Winter and Spring: Adult SLF and egg masses

Inspecting a Vehicle for the Spotted Lanternfly - Life Cycle

Inspecting a Vehicle for the Spotted Lanternfly – 5 tips for vehicle inspections

  1. Inspect the interior of the vehicle – thoroughly inspect the vehicle’s interior including any contents from the infested area.  In addition, look on the vehicle floor, seats and areas near doors and windows.
  2. Inspect the exterior of the vehicle – truck beds/caps – walk around the vehicle thoroughly checking hiding places along the vehicle.  Focus on truck beds/caps where SLF are prone to land.
  3. Check exterior hiding places – wheels wells & more – use a flashlight to check inside of the wheel wells, as this is a common hiding spot. If possible, consider looking on top of the vehicle for SLF that may have landed on the vehicle roof.
  4. Investigate dollies – don’t overlook equipment that may have been used to move pallets or other items. Inspect all sides of dollies or other moving equipment.
  5. Inspect pallets – pallets are particularly susceptible for infestation, use a flashlight and inspect all sides for SLF.

Inspecting a Vehicle for the Spotted Lanternfly - How to Spot

If the spotted lanternfly is found at any point in the life cycle, it is critical to kill live insects.  In short, if you see it, squash it.  In addition, it is recommended SLF egg masses are thoroughly smashed and scraped into a plastic bag.  Finally, the bag is sealed tight and disposed.

Bobby Kossowicz is a content creator for the Catchmaster® brand, learn more here: https://catchmasterpro.com/blog/bobby-kossowicz/

Inspecting a Vehicle for the Spotted Lanternfly – Additional Resources

Get more content like this daily when you follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catchmasterPRO/

Sign up for our mailing list here: https://catchmasterpro.com/join-email/

Looking for help with the spotted lanternfly?  Consider tree-banding with our TB series glue: https://catchmasterpro.com/product/tree-banding-glue/

Are you a PMP looking to get into the spotted lanternfly business?  Here are some helpful hints on getting started: https://catchmasterpro.com/blog/spotted-lanternfly-control-services-101/

Finally, learn more from Penn State University here: https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly-management-for-homeowners

Dec 03
0

The Spotted Lanternfly and Christmas Trees

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Should You Heed the Warnings and Opt for An Artificial Christmas Tree This Year?

There is nothing like the scent and look of a real Christmas tree.  This year, however, one pest threatens to dampen the tradition.  The spotted lanternfly is being a true grinch.  These tree-gobbling pests have led some to wonder about the threat of mixing the spotted lanternfly and Christmas trees.  Could it be possible that trees will bring this pest indoors?

The Spotted Lanternfly & Christmas Trees – A Background

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive pest that poses a significant threat to our agriculture.  Crops threatened  include grapes, apples and hops.  In addition, the pest can cause significant damage to a wide variety of tree species.

Spotted Lanternfly and Christmas Trees - Map

The Spotted Lanternfly has spread throughout much of the northeastern part of the United States. Homeowners are on alert, following advice to squish the pest when they see them and reporting them to the Department of Agriculture to help track their spread. With this in mind and Christmas season quickly approaching some news reports are warning consumers to steer clear of real trees this year.

But, do spotted lanternfly typically infest Christmas tree varieties? According to Penn State Extension experts, the good news for live tree fans is that “Christmas trees are not a preferred host for spotted lanternfly”.

Many experts agree that while they do not typically infest this type of tree it is always a good idea to inspect a live tree for pests before bringing it into your home. Our blog on ‘How to spot a spotted lanternfly infestation’ can help you to understand what to look for when inspecting a tree.

Spotted Lanternfly and Christmas Trees - Infestation

To be extra cautious you may inquire as to where the live tree originated from. According to the New Jersey Christmas Tree Growers Association, Christmas trees grown in New Jersey are completely safe to buy according to one NJ.com report.  Doing research prior to purchasing and inquiring from sellers about where the tree was grown certainly cannot hurt.

So, go ahead and bring that live tree home this year. We hope the tips above help ensure your holiday remains pest-free and enjoyable.

Additional Resources

Looking for help with the spotted lanternfly?  Consider tree-banding with our TB series glue: https://catchmasterpro.com/product/tree-banding-glue/

Are you a PMP looking to get into the spotted lanternfly business?  Here are some helpful hints on getting started: https://catchmasterpro.com/blog/spotted-lanternfly-control-services-101/

Learn more from Penn State University here: https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly-management-for-homeowners

Bobby Kossowicz is a content creator for the Catchmaster® brand, learn more here: https://catchmasterpro.com/blog/bobby-kossowicz/

Sep 18
0

Spotted Lanternfly Control Services 101

By | Insects, spotted lanternfly, Tips & Inspirations | No Comments

Spotted lanternfly control 101

As a pest pro, spotted lanternfly control services can benefit your bottom line.  If you live in the northeastern part of the United States you have likely heard of the pest.  As a result,  you may be getting calls from concerned home and business owners. For instance, this invasive species has already caused twenty-two counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey to go into quarantine.  It has been spotted in New York to the north and states as far south as Virginia. The pest poses a significant threat to our agriculture including grapes, apples, hops and hardwood industries.

spotted lanternfly map

If you are on the fence about offering spotted lanternfly control services, or have an interest but don’t know where to start, then this article is for you.  As the threat grows, your role as a pest professional will be more important than ever. Let’s take a closer look at getting started in spotted lanternfly control.

4 Tips to get you started in spotted lanternfly control

  1. Not familiar with tree-banding, no problem! Tree-banding creates an effective insect barrier – and you’ll be happy to know that you do not need to obtain any special licenses to offer tree-banding services for the spotted lanternfly.  Not sure how to tree-band?  Fortunately, we have you covered with detailed instructions in our Tree-Banding 101 one-pager. The process is very straightforward and simple.
  2. Market to those diamonds in your own backyard. If you live in a geographical area already impacted by the spotted lanternfly then you have a great base of customers to draw upon. Employ your usual marketing channels to notify customers of the threat and your additional service offering. We recommend both monitoring and control service options. Fortunately, tree-banding will allow you to do both.
  3. Become a part of the solution. Use digital channels to get the word out in your service area.  For example, you can utilize social media posts, e-mail blasts and dedicated portions of your website to educate the public about the importance of monitoring for the spotted lanternfly. Our Social Media Resource Library has lots of educational content free for your use.  As a result, you can help educate the public on the spotted lanternfly. For example, you could offer your expertise to your community through local newspapers and radio stations.  These organizations are often looking for local experts.
  4. Consider a free service in exchange for some advertising. Perhaps there is a local park in a downtown area or a sports field that gets lots of traffic in your service area. Consider offering free tree-banding to a select area of your town in exchange for some simple signage warning the public to be on the look out for the spotted lanternfly.  Get your brand out by placing yard signs in the area offering your services to monitor or control the pest.

how to spot a spotted lanternfly invasion

Act now!

Unfortunately, the spotted lanternfly will likely be a concern for some time to come.  Fortunately, is the time to get in the game and own your local market for tree-banding services.  By deploying some (or all!) of the tips above you can be well-positioned to grow your business.

Additional Resources

Learn more from Penn State University here: https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly-management-for-homeowners

Learn more about tree-banding with our Catchmaster® TB-1 glue here: https://catchmasterpro.com/product/tree-banding-glue/

Bobby Kossowicz is a content creator for the Catchmaster® brand, learn more here: https://catchmasterpro.com/blog/bobby-kossowicz/

 

Sep 05
0

How to Spot a Spotted Lanternfly Infestation

By | blog, Insects, spotted lanternfly, Tips & Inspirations, Trapping Tips | No Comments

If you are unfamiliar with the spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (White) (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), it’s a good idea to get acquainted with this sap-feeding insect before it’s too late.  Your trees and produce may already be at risk.

Spotted lanternfly background

First spotted in the United States in 2014, the invasive pest was originally discovered in Pennsylvania and has since spread rapidly.  It is known to feed on vines, shrubs, fruit trees, hardwoods, grapevines, and over 70 other species of trees. Infestations are often accidental but can occur seemingly overnight when eggs are transported by landscapers or homeowners doing yardwork. Egg masses and other life stages can also be found on a variety of other outdoor items including vehicles, patio furniture, swing sets, and more. For that reason, it’s very easy for them to spread quickly when humans move anything bearing the eggs.

So, how do you spot an infestation of the spotted lanternfly? The following can help as you check for egg masses on trees and items stored outside.

Identification & Life Cycle

If you hear of an infestation in your area, it’s a good idea to look for eggs all over your property.  They can be anywhere – not just on trees. The spotted lanternfly has one generation every year. Adult females lay eggs in September and continue until early December. Early detection is key as the eggs can survive the winter months and hatch in early spring.

spotted lanternfly eggs

Resembling mud, the pod-like egg masses are usually gray or off-white and will crack and darken over time.

spotted lanternfly nymphs

The eggs hatch in the spring and the nymphs immediately begin feeding. They are recognized as small black nymphs with white spots.

spotted lanternfly instars

The spotted lanternfly completes four life stages, also known as instars, before maturing into adults. The first three instar nymphs are black with white markings while the fourth instar nymphs are reddish-orange with white markings.

spotted lanternfly adults

Mostly seen in late summer and fall, adult nymphs have wings and are about an inch long and a half inch wide. They have gray forewings with black spots and hindwings that can be red, white and black striped.

Tree-Banding for the spotted lanternfly

If you are concerned about populations of the spotted lanternfly in your area, consider working with a pest professional who can perform tree-banding. Tree-banding creates a physical barrier on tree trunks that consist of a wrap and glue. The process allows homeowners to monitor trees proactively for the spotted lanternfly. Click here to learn more.

Additional Resources

Learn more from Penn State University here: https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly-management-for-homeowners

Learn more about tree-banding with our Catchmaster® TB-1 glue here: https://catchmasterpro.com/product/tree-banding-glue/

Bobby Kossowicz is a content creator for the Catchmaster® brand, learn more here: https://catchmasterpro.com/blog/bobby-kossowicz/