Displaying items by tag: lantern flies

The invasive spotted lanternfly can cause damage to many plants and has been detected in a few Tennessee counties, including Knox, Hamilton and Sullivan. Rebekka Horn/Courtesy UTIA

UT Ag entomologist recommends smashing the plant-hopper’s eggs before they hatch

Patricia McDaniels is the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture news and information manager. 

KNOXVILLE — The invasive spotted lanternfly (L. delicatula), which can damage many native trees and plants, has arrived in a few Tennessee counties, but all residents can help stop the spread by looking for and destroying egg masses before they hatch in the spring.

The adult female spotted lanternfly  lays egg masses in September through November on host plants and other smooth surfaces, such as railroad ties, rocks, lumber, downed limbs and logs. Egg masses survive cold winter temperatures, and the first instar nymphs begin emerging in the spring. The nymphs mature through the spring and early summer before becoming adults in the beginning of June. The first, second and third instars feed on a variety of host plants. The fourth instars and adults prefer tree of heaven, grapes, black walnut, silver maple, red maple and willow.

“The best way to control spotted lanternfly outbreaks is to prevent them,” says Midhula Gireesh, assistant professor and University of Tennessee Extension specialist in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. “Careful inspection for egg masses should be made on many types of products stored outdoors, such as firewood and lumber, before they are moved and shipped or before shipments are accepted. Since eggs start hatching at the end of March, now is a good time to scout for egg masses and destroy them.”