Spotted lanternflies are invasive insects that pose a significant threat to agriculture and have been increasingly spreading across the United States. These pests feed on a wide variety of economically important crops, causing damage and raising concerns among farmers and environmentalists alike.
Birds play an essential role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem, and their ability to control insect populations is a key factor in managing pest problems. Interestingly, some birds have been observed preying on spotted lanternflies, potentially providing a natural means of controlling their population.
As this relationship is relatively new, further research is necessary to understand the full extent of birds’ impact on spotted lanternflies and whether they could be a significant part of an integrated pest management strategy.
Spotted Lanternflies: An Invasive Species
The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive insect native to Asia. It was first discovered in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014. They are known for their colorful markings and the damage they cause to trees and plants.
These insects have a strong preference for Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), but they also attack other trees and plants. The infestation has led to quarantine measures being implemented in some areas of North America to control their spread.
Spotted Lanternflies undergo a fascinating biology and life cycle. Their life stages include egg, nymph, and adult. In October, they lay their eggs, which is the best time to try and destroy them to help limit the population the following year.
Here’s a comparison of the Spotted Lanternfly to a native North American insect, the Ladybug:
| Feature | Spotted Lanternfly | Ladybug |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Asia | North America |
| Colorful Markings | Yes | Yes |
| Damage to Trees | Yes | No (beneficial insect) |
Some characteristics of Spotted Lanternflies include:
- Colorful markings on their wings
- Attracted to Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
- Potential to cause significant damage to plants
Managing Spotted Lanternflies can be challenging, with extermination being unlikely. Thus, it is crucial to raise awareness and educate the public on identification, prevention, and control methods to limit their negative impact.
Birds as Natural Predators
Spotted lanternflies are invasive pests with few natural enemies in the United States. However, certain bird species are beginning to prey on them. These include gray catbirds and woodpeckers. Native birds can act as biological control, helping to manage lanternfly populations.
These predators particularly target the lanternfly’s early stages, such as nymphs and adults. Some bird species that consume beneficial insects may also eat spotted lanternflies, contributing to natural population control.
Here are some features of gray catbirds and woodpeckers as spotted lanternfly predators:
- Adaptability to consume spotted lanternfly nymphs and adults
- Native to areas where spotted lanternflies are present
- Reducing the need for chemical control methods
Some characteristics of spotted lanternflies that make them potential targets for birds:
- Presence of large populations in affected areas
- Easy to locate due to their distinctive appearance
- Feeding habits that tend to aggregate them in groups, making it easier for birds to prey on multiple lanternflies
Comparing gray catbirds and woodpeckers as predators of spotted lanternflies:
| Bird Species | Diet | Habitat | Primary Prey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gray Catbird | Insects, fruits, and berries | Gardens, woodlands, and dense cover | Spotted lanternflies, caterpillars, beetles, ants |
| Woodpecker | Insects, fruits, and nuts | Forests, woodlands, and gardens | Spotted lanternflies, beetles, ants, insect larvae |
In summary, birds like gray catbirds and woodpeckers can serve as natural predators of spotted lanternflies, helping to manage populations and reduce their negative impact on the environment.
Other Spotted Lanternfly Predators
Spotted lanternflies, invasive pests native to China, have few natural predators in the US. However, some creatures do feed on these pests, providing some level of control.
- Praying mantis: These insects are known to eat spotted lanternflies, as they feed on various pests. Both adult and juvenile praying mantises are effective hunters.
- Spiders: While not as effective as praying mantises, some garden spiders have been observed preying on spotted lanternflies, particularly when lanternflies are present in large numbers.
- Wheel bugs: These beneficial insects, closely related to stink bugs, primarily prey on soft-bodied insects, making spotted lanternflies suitable targets.
- Yellowjackets: These insects are known to feed on a variety of pests, spotted lanternflies included. Their aggressive nature makes them efficient predators.
- Garter snakes: Though not a significant predator, these snakes have occasionally been observed eating spotted lanternflies.
Here is a comparison table displaying the effectiveness and pros and cons of these spotted lanternfly predators:
| Predator | Effectiveness | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Praying mantis | High | Generalist predators, feed on various pests | Not as common |
| Garden spiders | Moderate | Prey on pests, including lanternflies | Less effective than mantises |
| Wheel bugs | Moderate | Target soft-bodied insects | Limited distribution |
| Yellowjackets | Moderate | Aggressive, feed on pests | Can be harmful to humans |
| Garter snakes | Low | Occasional lanternfly predator | Limited impact |
In summary, praying mantises, spiders, wheel bugs, yellowjackets, and garter snakes have been observed preying on spotted lanternflies. However, their overall impact on controlling the invasive pest population is limited.
Birds’ Feeding Habits and the Spotted Lanternfly
The Spotted Lanternfly, or Lycorma delicatula, is a voracious invasive insect causing damage to various plants, including fruit trees and grapevines. On the other hand, birds are known for their varied diets, consuming a wide range of insects and pests.
Birds and Spotted Lanternflies
Birds, such as chickens and other insect-eating species, might be interested in nymphs or adult lanternflies as a potential food source. But it’s important to understand if birds’ feeding habits include this invasive pest.
- Pros of birds consuming lanternflies:
- Natural control of Spotted Lanternfly populations
- Reduction of damage to plants and trees
- Decrease in the mold growth caused by lanternfly’s honeydew secretions
- Cons of birds consuming lanternflies:
- Potential ingestion of toxic substances
- Unintended harm to beneficial bugs
- Dependance on birds alone for pest control might be insufficient
Spotted Lanternflies vs. Flying Insects
Comparing Spotted Lanternflies to other flying insects that birds typically consume can provide insight into why birds might show interest in them. Here’s a brief comparison:
| Feature | Spotted Lanternfly | Typical Flying Insects |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Large | Varies |
| Attractiveness | Colorful | Varies |
| Mobility | Hoppers | Flyers |
| Availability | Invasive, locally abundant | Widespread |
Birds in Gardens
To encourage birds to visit a yard or garden and potentially consume Spotted Lanternflies, consider the following options:
- Set up bird feeders with suet or fruit to attract insect-eating birds
- Provide nesting spaces and shelters
- Plant berry-producing bushes and trees
- Add a birdbath or water feature
- Use bird-friendly netting or fencing to prevent unintended trapping
While relying solely on birds to control Spotted Lanternflies might not be feasible, they can serve as part of an integrated approach, complementing other control methods such as traps, chemical treatments, and manual removal of eggs and egg masses.
Population Control and Management Practices
Spotted lanternflies pose a significant threat to agriculture and crops in the U.S. Their impact has led to quarantine zones being established in states like New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia1. One strategy for controlling lanternfly populations is enlisting the help of birds as natural predators.
Penn State’s Department of Entomology has been studying potential predators2, including native birds that may develop a taste for the invasive lanternflies. An example is the Eastern bluebird, known to eat a variety of insects.
Insecticides can also help control lanternflies. However, it’s essential to select products that will not harm beneficial insects, birds, or the environment3.
Other management practices explore biological control methods, like introducing parasitic wasps as predators4. In vineyards, koi fish have shown success in keeping lanternfly nymphs at bay, as they eat the nymphs after they fall into water5.
The table below compares the effectiveness of using birds, insecticides, and other efforts like quarantines, parasitic wasps, and koi fish for controlling spotted lanternfly populations:
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Birds | Natural predators, low environmental impact | May not target lanternflies exclusively |
| Insecticides | Potentially effective in reducing populations | Can harm beneficial insects, birds, and the environment |
| Quarantines | Limits the spread of lanternflies | Can disrupt local economies and trade |
| Parasitic wasps | Targeted control specific to lanternflies | May take time to successfully establish populations |
| Koi fish | Effective in certain environments like vineyards | Limited to settings with water sources |
It is essential to consider all available population control and management practices to minimize the spotted lanternfly’s impact on crops, vineyards, and your local area.
Bug Control Recommendation Tool
Citizen Science and Public Awareness
Researchers are studying the potential for birds to eat spotted lanternflies, an invasive insect native to China, India, and Vietnam that threatens the health of the Eastern United States’ trees and plants1. To gather data, they are enlisting the help of citizen scientists, particularly bird watchers2.
Spotted lanternflies prefer the tree of heaven as their host plant3. Their rapid spread is due to human activities, such as transporting infested material or items containing egg masses4. To increase public awareness and encourage monitoring efforts, information is provided on common characteristics of spotted lanternflies:
- Adult lanternflies are moth-like with distinctive calls
- Nymphs are often mistaken for ticks or yellow jackets
- They are plant-eating insects with a preference for tree of heaven
By monitoring bird feeders and habitats, citizen scientists can help gauge the impact of lanternflies on avian populations5. They can report sightings of birds eating lanternflies in a variety of environments, including thickets and meadows.
Engaging citizen scientists contributes to understanding and managing spotted lanternflies. Some benefits of involving the public include:
Pros:
- Larger data collection and increased accuracy
- Faster identification of problem areas
- Public awareness and engagement in conservation efforts
Cons:
- Possible inconsistencies in data reporting
- Limited coverage in remote or hard-to-reach areas
In summary, involving citizen scientists and increasing public awareness are crucial steps toward combating the spotted lanternfly invasion. Continuous monitoring of bird populations will provide valuable insights into their interactions with these invasive insects.
Footnotes
- https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/pests-diseases/hungry-pests/the-threat/spotted-lanternfly/spotted-lanternfly ↩ ↩2
- https://news.psu.edu/story/626533/2020/08/26/research/birds-may-provide-insight-managing-attle-spotted-lanternfly ↩ ↩2
- https://ento.psu.edu/extension/spotted-lanternflies/management ↩ ↩2
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211208115746.htm ↩ ↩2
- https://wtop.com/maryland/2019/10/koi-pond-helps-contain-spotted-lanternflies-at-md-vineyard/ ↩ ↩2
52 Comments. Leave new
Daniel, thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly. Much appreciated. In the meantime, I had also had it pegged as Lycorma sp, but thought it might be L. meliae instead of L. delictula. Pictures I found on the web of L. delictula looked different than the adults and nymphs I see here. For example, the adults shown as L. delictula were orange, whereas the L. meliae adults are red.
As for the common name, white cicada, I also came across that, but as happens so often, the common name led to a number of candidates, most of whom were not even close. I suppose they got tagged as “cicadas” because they live in trees?
Do they bite? I’m seeing them first time in PA over last couple days – on arms of outdoor chairs. Thanks for info!
The name should be Lycorma delicatula.
http://www.hemiptera-databases.org/flow/?page=explorer&db=flow&lang=en&card=taxon&rank=species&id=9387
Thanks for the correction. We will also need to correct the spelling on a few additional postings. As a postscript, we have found references with both spellings, and when Karl originally provided us with an identification, his research turned up a link online that omitted an “a” from the species name.
The name should be Lycorma delicatula.
http://www.hemiptera-databases.org/flow/?page=explorer&db=flow&lang=en&card=taxon&rank=species&id=9387
Is this cicada species a periodic one? I first visited Seoul in October 2010 and heard many cicadas. I then visited Seoul in June 2011, May 2013 and September 2014, but did not hear any. I will try Wikipedia next.
The White Cicada is not a true Cicada, but rather a Fulgorid Planthopper, and to the best of our knowledge, it does not make an audible sound. Periodical Cicadas like the 17 Year Cicada are only found in North America.
I found one of these at the YMCA in East Greenville Montgomery County PA. Are the a danger to trees or plant life? This is the first time I have ever seen one?
This is a non-native, introduced species that may have a significant negative impact on native and cultivated plants.
Just spotted one today in whitehall Pa.
Creepy little quick things arent they.
Just took some photos of one on my porch in Downingtown, PA.
I found a lot of them just outside Reading PA.
I would love to know how they were introduced here……….
And by who???
How reckless!!!!
They most likely arrived on nursery stock.
They probably travel on food, people. We have lots here in Denver PA. Never noticed them till this summer though…
How do you remove them?
After further looming into and signs posted last year around a camp site-
These may be called spotted lantern fly.
Yes, this species is a spotted lantern fly. Last year they were noticed in Southeastern PA and the state has requested sightings be reported and have set quarantines in place for where they’re found since they are a danger to local industries.
Just now was the second one i have killed within a week and it hopped in the same spot as the last one… On my laptop table.. Idk where they are coming from im assuming my AC and i think their attracted to my lamp on the table. Im in Reading,PA. Its really scaring me the way they hop infront of me on to the table.
Found one in my back yard
In Allentown p.a.
Hi! A friend sent me a link to this page when I asked her what this bug we found in South Korea was. I blogged about that here. https://sejanashines.com/2018/10/12/hiking-mount-apsan-adventures-unidentified-creature-1/
I wondered if you could share the history of why it became an invasive species in the US? I was pretty saddened to read that they are to be killed when found according to the PA Dept of Agriculture website listed.
The Spotted Lanternfly was first reported in Pennsylvania in 2014 according to BugGuide. This was likely an accidental introduction, and we suspect either nursery stock or traveling tourists bringing unlawful plants into the U.S.
Hi! A friend sent me a link to this page when I asked her what this bug we found in South Korea was. I blogged about that here. https://sejanashines.com/2018/10/12/hiking-mount-apsan-adventures-unidentified-creature-1/
I wondered if you could share the history of why it became an invasive species in the US? I was pretty saddened to read that they are to be killed when found according to the PA Dept of Agriculture website listed.
My daughter has these little tiny black bugs with white spots on the outside of her apartment. When you try to smack or smooch them the jump very far. She’s afraid their gonna get into the apartment and harm her newborn baby. I would like answers please…. Thank you
According to Featured Creatures: “Originating from northern China, the spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (White), is a serious pest due to their high reproductive capacity and large host range.” The site also states: “The spotted lanternfly has piercing-sucking mouthparts that are adapted to feeding from plant stems” and “Adults use cytotoxins as chemical defenses to deter predators (Barringer and Smyers. 2016). These are acquired through feeding from host plants, mainly the tree of heaven, Ailanthus altissima (Barringer and Smyers 2016).” To the best of our knowledge, they will not harm your daughter’s newborn, however, Featured Creatures notes “Lycorma delicatula is found on over 70 known host plants, with 25 identified in Pennsylvania, ranging from apples, grapes, birch, cherry, lilac, maple, poplar, stone fruits, and the tree of heaven (Barringer et al. 2016, Dara et al. 2015). Lycorma delicatula primarily feeds on Ailanthus altissima, greatly preferring it over many other species, and is likely to establish itself where Ailanthus altissima is present (Anderson et al. 2016). Lycorma delicatula and the tree of heaven are both equally invasive species originating from the same native regions of China and other parts of Asia. Using their haustellate (sucking) mouthparts, typical of the order Hemiptera, they feed on the sap in the phloem (Ding et al. 2006). Their host range includes economically important plants, particularly Vitis vinifera (common grape vine), which makes them an unsuitable biological control agent for the tree of heaven (Ding et al. 2006).”
Found a bunch of these in my garden on my squash plants primarily. They were all dead though. I live in Blue Bell.
I’m having coffee outside my house in King of Prussia Pa ( next door is the mall )….
I took a video and some shots .
He was here a minute ago but now has just vanished.
I wonder if I’ll ever see him again ???
Looked like someone gave a black bug some nice tattoo work .
Spotted on deck railing in home within Horsham, Pa. (Talamore golf community)
I spotted one in marsh creek state park in pa how could I report it?
Just saw one in Honey Brook, PA, on my cucumber plant. Jumped away quickly when approached. YUK!!
I am seeing these on my cucumber plants..4 in one spot. Any suggestions to control organically?
I just found these bugs on my rose bush. They were all over its stems.
I live in Lancaster, PA and they are all over my rose bush also. How do you get rid of them?
I also have them in my garden. they seem to like my blackberries, grapes, pole beans and sunflowers.I,m an organic gardener…how can I exterminate them naturally? they are taking over.
I just noticed this insect resting comfortably on my perennial Hibiscus bush, which is now budding and getting ready to bloom. I live in Souderton, PA. Not sure what to do as they do not appear to be disturbing the bush yet?
spotted today at Philadelphia airport
What’s the best way to get rid of these bugs from China answer
These are all over my gardens here in Clinton NJ this year. The black ones are smaller, maybe the size of a green pea. The red ones are quite a bit larger, perhaps 3/4″ long. They’re everywhere.
Omg…I’m in Clinton NJ as well..THEY ARE ALL OVER!
These bugs are swarming on sumac trees in my yard. I see a few on other plants but the sumac seems to be their main food source.
I have hundreds of them on My deck. How bad are they for vegetables and other plants? I am located in Bear Delaware
Thanks Bob
They are an undesirable invasive species
Just seen a whole bunch at my doctor’s appointment in New Castle Delaware
I just cleaned out a rental property garden and they were everywhere!
ok,ok! so everyone sees them. how the hell do you get rid of them?
I jus found them on my fig tree in brooklyn ny. Are they harmful to plants?
I’m in Central NJ,June of 2022. I just saw the ‘White Cicada’ on my house for the 1st time. Little black sucker with the white dots. I didn’t like it there so I swatted it a few times, and it took off like a jumping bean both times. Are these damaging or invasisive? Do they have natural predators. I sure don’t want them in the house along with the errant stink bug, if so.
I was told they are lymph lantern flies
That is what I was told and have seen on every other page but this one.
have photographed a bug that looks so much like the one posted here but also found google photos of nymph spotted lantern flies, which seem identical too. How does one decipher the difference between these two bugs? and what is the best way to get rid of an infestation that has spread from vegetable plants to other hard surfaces in my yard? i.e. a metal shed, wood table etc.
I have a small garden on my deck and I’m noticing these bugs. I decided to google them and landed on this website. It’s very informative. I’ve been squashing them.
How do I get rid of them
Found one in my backyard in Parkville Md.