This year is also the season! But this is not a celebration. Recently, in addition to the warm climate returning, we can expect new batches of spotted lantern fries.
Native to Asia, this species began in the United States in our region and was shipped to Berks County in 2014. Not only is this insect annoying, it also damages food crops by millions of dollars. And despite efforts to contain it, spotted lantern flies continue to spread. In just a few years, Pennsylvania’s quarantine counties have grown from Philadelphia and its “color” community alone to a total of 34 counties.
In a 2020 study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania Agricultural Sciences, economists could drain Pennsylvania’s economy at least $ 324 million annually and lose about 2,800 jobs if not contained. I decided.
So what can we personally do to contain this pest? Spotted lantern flies hatch from April to May. You may already have noticed that the small black and white nymphs are usually on the smooth stems of certain plants. Ailanthus (Ailanthus) is their preferred host plant, but they can also be found on other plants and on common smooth surfaces such as buildings and vehicles. (This is why it is recommended that people in the quarantine area check their cars before entering the clear zone.)
The spotted lantern fly nymph is an excellent jumper that you can see coming. Hitting them is pretty difficult. Adults also zoom out in no time. Some people choose to wrap the wood in a sticky band on their property. This works, but the band catches not only good bugs but also bad bugs, and sometimes birds and other small wildlife. “If you use sticky bands, you should check them often and use wildlife barriers to prevent bycatch,” said Heather Reach, an extended associate of entomology at Penn State University of Agricultural Sciences. Says. (https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/08/spotted-lanternfly-expert-warns-of-dangers-of-popular-insect-trap.html)
You can now build safer and more effective traps. The information from the PennState Extension website is as follows:
“Recent studies have shown that completely different types of traps are also very effective and can dramatically reduce the chances of catching other creatures. Without the use of any sticky material. , A new style trap made of plastic-coated insect nets. It’s basically a tunnel into which SLFs enter. When they move up in the trap, they go to a dead-end collection container and die there.
“Immature lantern flies (called nymphs) are often blown off the canopy of the tree they are feeding on. The nymph then walks to the trunk of the tree and climbs again to start feeding. You can take advantage of this predictable behavior of the nymph by catching the nymph climbing a tree with. “
Instructions on how to create traps are available on the PennState Extension website. (https://extension.psu.edu/how-to-build-a-new-style-spotted-lanternfly-circle-trap) You need some basic necessities: rectangular window screens, small pieces of wood, wires, plastic milk jugs, gum tape, staplers, hot glue and other small parts.
Last year I saw these traps working. They were full of spotted lantern flies. It’s definitely a step in the right direction.
Note: This spring, the number of bumblebees was much lower, with only two bees. Has anyone else witnessed the same?
Pam Baxter is an avid organic vegetable gardener living in Kimberton.Send an email directly to pamelacbaxter@gmail.com, Or 19442 Send an email to PO Box 80 in Kimberton, PA. Share your gardening story on Facebook’s Chester County Roots. Pam’s book for kids and families, a big life lesson from a little secret of nature, is available on Amazon, along with her companion field journal, Explore Outdoors. Amazon.com/author/pamelabaxter..
