What could be worse than spotting Spotted Lanternflies in New York City? Well, there are millions of them lurking around.
As we approach the hatching season for this invasive, polka-dotted menace, New Yorkers are gearing up for what seems like an overwhelming surge of these pests. Originally from China, the Spotted Lanternfly was first detected in Pennsylvania back in 2014 and has since spread to 21 states, including New York, despite attempts to eliminate them.
Currently, these insects have invaded about half of New York’s counties, from the bustling streets of Manhattan to the serene farmlands upstate. They’re particularly drawn to plants, sucking the sap from various species.
The unpredictability of this invasion makes things more concerning. Reports of sightings of these pests have doubled recently, rising from about 5,000 in 2021 to nearly 9,500 in 2022, suggesting that the numbers could peak this season.
“Last year was somewhat slower, but they’re new insects adapting to a new place,” said Gil Bloom, an entomologist and president of a pest management company in New York City. “Predicting their behavior in this environment is tricky, especially with uncertain weather patterns.” He noted that many residents find them interesting, almost like “alien invaders.”
Consuming Without Remorse
The term “lanternfly” is a bit misleading since they’re actually planthoppers, using long mouthparts to extract plant juices—like pests on a liquid diet. They seem to be thriving, not surprisingly.
These resilient insects have made themselves at home in the Northeast, partly due to the absence of natural predators, long life cycles, and their prolific breeding. According to Julie Urban, an associate research professor, they become adults around July but won’t start mating until the fall. This extended adult stage allows for increased reproduction rates. Females can lay two batches of 30 to 50 eggs, which survive the winter and hatch come spring.
What’s more, young lanternflies don’t discriminate when it comes to food sources. They target hundreds of different trees and plants, able to shift to new areas when resources dwindle.
A Resilient Invader
Part of what contributes to their success is the Tree of Heaven, an invasive species that complements their survival by providing a reliable food source. Urban highlighted that this tree is advantageous because it produces toxins that outcompete other flora, making it more favored by the lanternflies.
Interestingly, urban ecology makes these insects tougher, as cities may evolve to support them against heat and chemical treatments, according to some recent research.
Minor Nuisances
Fortunately, the overall impact so far isn’t catastrophic but is still annoying. Urban mentioned that people dislike having bugs fly into their faces, and these pests produce a sweet substance known as “honeydew,” which attracts fungus that can stain outdoor areas.
Bloom, who often removes bugs from desirable neighborhoods, remarked that the droppings can also lure stinging hornets. Contrary to popular belief, these insects don’t usually kill trees but can hamper their growth by reducing photosynthesis.
If things continue on this path, the wine industry, particularly in the Finger Lakes region, might face significant challenges. Losses could escalate rapidly, from around $1.5 million in the first year to over $8 million by the third year.
The Ongoing Battle
Efforts to eliminate these flies have largely fallen short. A campaign last year encouraging people to crush any they found had little effect. Though pest control experts at Cornell University thought they saw progress, it turned out the reduction in numbers was likely due to natural variances.
Using pesticides poses challenges too, especially considering timing around pollinator activity. Bloom pointed out that while vacuuming can be effective in residential areas, it’s less practical in larger parks.
Timing is crucial. Once the eggs hatch, many control options are rendered ineffective. Therefore, finding and destroying egg cases—small brown masses—is essential, whether by scraping them off or using a less toxic insecticide. Some experts are even using insect-sniffing dogs, as studies show they can detect these eggs with impressive accuracy.
Interestingly, certain birds and bats are starting to eat these pests, which previously faced no natural threats. Plus, scientists are planning to use a natural control agent that targets these flies in their larval stage, although implementing it may take some time.
In the meantime, the invasive presence of the lanternflies will likely continue. “It’s strange, but I think we have to learn to coexist with them to some extent,” Bloom remarked.
