Heather Leach, Ashley
Leach, Michela Centinari,
David Biddinger, Greg
Krawczyk, Andrew Harner,
Lauren Briggs, Liz
Deecher, Julie Urban
Penn State Entomology
SPOTTED LANTERNFLY: detection and management in vineyards
Native to Asia,
found in
southeastern PA
in 2014
Now spread to 6
states and
detected in 4
additional states
New invasive pest, spotted
lanternfly (SLF)
NY external
quarantine areas. SLF
infestation found
SLF found, no
infestation
Internal state
quarantine areas
Updated March 9, 2020
SLF has a broad host range
70+ plants identified as
a host for SLF
Nymphs are especially
polyphagous
Favorite hosts include:
tree-of-heaven
grape
black walnut
red/silver maple
river birch
willow
sumac
EGG LAYING
Liz WillowZil Fessler
Brandon Zimmerman
Jenny Armstrong Powell
Lori LaCava Beatrice
SLF egg masses
Vineyards reporting yield losses
and vine death from SLF
>80% of growers managing for
SLF with 30% reporting damage
(n=48)
Average number of insecticide
applications went from 4 to 14
in response to SLF in just two
years (2016 to 2018)
Average insecticide costs per
acre went from $54 to $147
SLF damage to vines
H. Leach
When is SLF in the vineyard?
Where is SLF in the vineyard?
What behavior is happening in the vineyard?
How are vines being damaged?
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
5/2
9
6/5
6/1
2
6/1
8
6/2
6
7/1
7/1
0
7/1
7
7/2
4
7/3
1
8/5
8/1
2
8/2
1
8/2
8
9/3
9/9
9/1
6
9/2
5
9/3
0
10/3
10/7
10/1
5
10/2
1
10/3
1
Avera
ge
SLF
per
vin
e
Wooded Edge Interior
SLF phenologySouth Korean
recommendations
were to initiate
spraying when
SLF was at 5-10
per vine
2018 & 2019 data from 9 SE PA vineyards
Leach and Leach, unpublished
3.6 acres
Across all vineyards that
were grid sampled, 67% of
your total SLF population is in
the first 60 feet of the block
199
306
595
5125
Spatial distribution is
not equal. Use
border sprays! Full
sprays only when
needed (which means
you need to scout multiple
areas of vineyard regularly).
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
September October
Ave
rage
(±S
E) S
LF o
bse
rved
in f
ligh
t
Sampling month
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
0 0
a
a
b No significant difference
Flight activity
greatest in
afternoon in
September
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
September October
Avera
ge (
±S
E)
adult S
LF
per
vin
e
Sampling month
Morning
Afternoon
Evening a
a
bNo significant
difference
a
a
b
Up to 3x more SLF
per vine in a
matter of hours!
Spray in the evening when using
contact sprays
during heavy
dispersal periods
0
2
4
6
May-29 June-29 July-29 August-29 September-29 October-29
First instarA
vera
ge n
um
ber
SL
F p
er
vin
e
Date
0
6
12
18
May-29 June-29 July-29 August-29 September-29 October-29
Adult
0
2
4
6
May-29 June-29 July-29 August-29 September-29 October-29
Fourth instar
0
2
4
6
May-29 June-29 July-29 August-29 September-29 October-29
Third instar
0
2
4
6
May-29 June-29 July-29 August-29 September-29 October-29
Second instar
Cordon TrunkShoots
Shift spray nozzles
down towards trunk
in later season to
get best coverage
How does SLF feeding affect grapevine
physiology?
Michela Centinari, Andrew Harner,
Heather Leach, Lauren Briggs, Don Smith, Julie
Urban
Evaluating the Impacts of Spotted Lanternfly on Grapevine Health to Develop More Targeted Control Approaches (2019)
(Centinari, Urban, Leach, Eissenstat)
How does SLF feeding affect grapevine
physiology?
How do different levels of
SLF feeding affect:
Carbon assimilation and
photosynthetic efficiency of
leaves
Accumulation of
carbohydrates and
nutrients in fruit and
storage (trunk, stem, roots)
tissues
Bud freeze tolerance
(cold hardiness)
When is SLF in the vineyard?SLF populations peak in mid-late September
Where is SLF in the vineyard?SLF populations are highest near the wooded edge, first feeding on
the shoots followed by the trunks
When is SLF in the vineyard?SLF populations peak in mid-late September
Where is SLF in the vineyard?SLF populations are highest near the wooded edge, first feeding on
the shoots followed by the trunks
What behavior is happening in the vineyard?SLF are mostly inactive in the morning, but feed heavily in the
afternoon and evening
SLF flight activity is highest in the afternoon, and populations may
increase on the vine throughout the day
When is SLF in the vineyard?SLF populations peak in mid-late September
Where is SLF in the vineyard?SLF populations are highest near the wooded edge, first feeding on
the shoots followed by the trunks
What behavior is happening in the vineyard?SLF are mostly inactive in the morning, but feed heavily in the
afternoon and evening
SLF flight activity is highest in the afternoon, and populations may
increase on the vine throughout the day
How are vines being damaged?High levels of SLF feeding reduce photosynthesis, transpiration, brix
values, and cold hardiness
Spray insecticides
Remove tree-of-
heaven and/or use
as a trap tree
Remove egg
masses in
winter
Remove tall trees
surrounding
vineyard
Postpone planting
new vines until we
have a better solution
Grower options
Leach et al. 2019, Crop Protection
Most commonly used
SLF insecticide trials
**NOTE: Efficacy of carbaryl has been questioned by several growers for both nymph and adult activity.
SLF insecticide questions
Do I need to spray for nymphs?
That depends. We don’t have established thresholds for adults or nymphs. Typically, I recommend applications when you’re at 15-20 nymphs SLF per vine and 5-10 adults per vine on average.
What do I use to spray for nymphs?
Something with a quick knockdown that won’t flare secondary pests and can potentially double-dip with other insect pests.
Malathion, carbaryl, zeta-cypermethrin are common choices. Insecticidal soap/neem oil can be used for less toxic option (provided you have excellent coverage)
SLF insecticide trials
Field evaluations of insecticides in vineyards occurring this year (using grower collaborators, chemigation, backpack sprayer applications) for:
(1) refined residual efficacy data
(2) search for additional effective compounds
(3) test application method (chemigation, border spray applications)
Suggestions of insecticides to test this year are welcome!
Two fungal pathogens in PA found attacking SLF
In 2015, Beauveriabassiana found attacking SLF in multiple locations and at low levels
Fungal pathogens
H. Leach
Applications of B. bassiana (BoteGHA) were made in woodlots with high SLF pressure in early July and mid-August
July applications reduced nymph populations by 46%
August application did not offer significant control
Use of Beauveria
Egg masses and nymphs collected beginning in 2015
Two parasitoid species found: Anastatusorientalis and Dryinusstantoni
Both are currently in U.S. quarantine facility
Map courtesy of Kim Hoelmer & Juli Gould
Foreign exploration
Penn State (PI: Julie Urban)
USDA-ARS
USDA-APHIS
Cornell University
Northeast IPM Center
Rutgers
Virginia Tech
University of Delaware
Temple University
University of Rhode Island
To quantify the insect’s impact on at-risk specialty
crops and immediately develop management
tactics to reduce the damage in areas where
spotted lanternfly is established.
To perform essential fundamental research on the
pest’s basic biology, ecology and behavior, and to
develop biological control tactics contributing to
long-term sustainable solutions.
To deliver management solutions to specialty-
crop stakeholders and the public through the
extension networks of the partnering land-grant
universities, USDA agencies and the Northeastern
IPM Center.
USDA SCRI CAPS grant$7.3 million over 4 years to 10 institutions
Looking aheadField evaluation of insecticides/spray programs
Border applications using cannon style sprayers
Chemigation (insecticides through irrigation system, treated prior to
harvest)
Testing/development of effective monitoring tools
Establishment of thresholds
Landscape-scale control of SLF (controlling woodlots around
vineyards, Blue Marsh project)
Use of treated tree-of-heaven as trap crop
Exclusion netting on vines
Insecticidal netting as flight-intercept barrier to vineyards
If you’re inundated…
1. Monitor in mid-late May for nymphs. If numerous, spray a short-residual insecticide. They likely won’t return until adults.
2. Expect adults to appear in late July in low numbers.
If you’re inundated…
3. Expect to begin spraying insecticides at regular intervals beginning in late-August to early October.
5. After harvest, Brigade/Bifenturewill offer best residual activity (but only allowed once @ maximum label rate!)
4. Prior to harvest, Mustang Maxx, Venom/Scorpion, Malathion, and Carbaryl/Sevin* are your best options.
If you’ve just seen one/a few…
H. Leach
1. Typically, the first 1-2 years after detecting your first SLF are “quiet”
2. Your first “bad year” is usually later in the season – expect adults to come in mid-late September through October
3. Be aware of your surroundings! Other plants in the landscape may be harboring large numbers of eggs that you weren’t aware of.
If you don’t yet have SLF...1. Scout for tree-of-heavennear your vineyard
2. Monitor tree-of-heaven and vineyard edges for SLF (especially late season)
3. If you think you find a spotted lanternfly, kill it, take a picture, and report it to your state department of agriculture