Finding Natural Solutions

Problem

How can invasive spotted lanternfly populations be reduced without pesticides?

• The spotted lanternfly is a destructive pest that feeds on more than 100 species of plants and trees. Because the spotted lanternfly is a nonnative insect, it did not arrive in the U.S. along with its natural enemies to keep its numbers in balance, unlike in its native environment of Asia.

Findings

Researchers conducted field and lab experiments to find species in the U.S. that will prey on spotted lanternflies. They recruited the help of citizen scientists, who provided 1,294 photos and observations of birds, insects, and wildlife eating spotted lanternflies.

• Preliminary findings show that the top bird predators are chickens, cardinals, catbirds, blue jays, and the tufted titmouse rounding out the top five. Among arthropods, the major predators were spiders, followed by preying mantises, yellow jackets, wheelbugs, and ants.

Impact

The findings could help citizens take steps to attract these predators because they will help to control not only spotted lanternflies but other pests as well.

Research Credit

Team

• Anne Johnson, Kelli Hoover, Margaret Brittingham, Sara Hermann, Allison Cornell

Participating Departments

• Ecosystem Science and Management
• Entomology

Partner

• Penn State Altoona

Federal and State Appropriations

• USDA NIFA McIntire-Stennis Project PEN04755, Accession #1024129

Emerging Discoveries

Study at Penn State to examine potential for birds to eat spotted lanternfly

September 17, 2020

Do birds find the spotted lanternfly to be a tasty treat or a nauseating nibble? That is one of the questions researchers at Penn State hope to answer, and they are seeking citizen scientists, especially bird watchers, to help in their quest for knowledge.

A wing and a prayer: Chickens, praying mantises among likely lanternfly enemies

March 15, 2021

Potential predators of the spotted lanternfly are being brought into focus thanks to shutterbugs who have captured images of birds, insects, mammals and even fish consuming the invasive planthopper.