Seasonal Development, Cumulative Growing Degree-Days, and Population Density of Spotted Lanternfly (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) on Selected Hosts and Substrates

Abstract

Seasonal development, cumulative growing degree-days (CUMDD10), and population density of Lycorma delicatula (White) were studied through weekly sampling of 30 plants (5 plants/species, 3 common plus 3 site-specific species per site) at six sites in Pennsylvania in 2019. In total, 24,159 L. delicatula (1,987 egg masses, 1,068 first instars, 239 second instars, 153 third instars, 410 fourth instars, and 20,302 adults) were recorded in 28 wk. Seasonal development followed similar pattern at all sites despite differences in starting, peaking, and ending time for specific life stages. The average CUMDD10 requirement for the onset of the first instars, second instars, third instars, fourth instars, adults, and eggs was 270, 465, 645, 825, 1,112, and 1,825, respectively. Population density ranged from 0 to 207.4, 0–298.9, and 0–9.6/m2 for nymphs, adults, and egg masses, respectively. Significant difference in population density was found between sites, hosts/substrates, and sampling weeks. Favored oviposition substrates included tree-of-heaven and black birch despite egg masses being laid on many other surfaces. Nymphs fed on different hosts in early stages but preferred American beech, tree-of-heaven, black birch, and multiflora rose. Adults were predominately found on tree-of-heaven with preoviposition surge on black birch and red maple. Sizable nymph and adult populations persisted on summer grape throughout the season. Tree-of-heaven played an irreplaceable role in the seasonal development and life history of L. delicatula in the field. Survey and detection activities should focus on tree-of-heaven with management efforts directed to aggregating adults for maximum efficacy.

Dispersal and Oviposition Patterns of Lycorma Delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) During Oviposition Period in Ailanthus Altissima (Simaroubaceae)

“…12,17 Nevertheless, SLF are known to deposit eggs on surfaces of various substrates including 28 taxa of host plants and inorganic materials such as stones and metal fences. 11,19 Indeed, a large number of SLF egg masses were detected on E. danielli and cement walls in the vicinity of A. altissima patches inspected in our survey (personal observation). Therefore, further studies are warranted to examine how SLF adults utilize different oviposition substrates following feeding on preferred host plants such as A. altissima and how this alternation would affect the likelihood of successful overwintering of egg masses or their survival against natural predators.…”

“…11,12,17 In addition, SLF adults are known to mate and reproduce during this period utilizing multiple substrates including A. altissima for oviposition. 19 However, the dispersal patterns of SLF adults within and among A. altissima patches after their arrival have not yet been investigated. Especially, given that SLF is a univoltine species in the invaded areas, investigating the dispersal patterns of this pest on A. altissima and characterizing their oviposition pattern can provide valuable information for its management.…”

Performance and host association of spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) among common woody ornamentals

“…Plant architecture may also play a role in host selection; this pest is often observed feeding on hosts with trunks and branches that do not have thick bark. The trees used in our study were chosen because they are frequently infested in the field and do not have the thick bark that occurs on some trees, such as oaks, which are infrequent hosts 29 . L. delicatula has been reported to survive longer on, and prefer, host trees with a high concentration of sap sugars, similar to those produced by A. altissima and V. vinifera 28 .…”

Performance and Host Association of Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma Delicatula) among Common Woody Ornamentals

“…Several authors have also noted that L. delicatula seems to prefer hosts with trunks and branches that do not have thick bark but have high sap turgor pressure, allowing for ingestion of phloem at a greater rate [17,18,20]. The trees used in our study were chosen because they are frequently infested in the field and do not have the thick bark that occurs on oak trees, for example, which are infrequent hosts [29].…”