Bugs have never really appealed to me. In fact, I believe most of us can agree that certain insects are intriguing and lovely, but others can be really unsettling. And then there are those that are just plain dangerous—not only to our plants and crops, but occasionally even to our animals. When I notice an insect, I usually just let it go. I don’t intentionally hurt any living thing because that’s not my line of work. But things get very different when it comes to the lanternfly, or Lycorma delicatula.
If you see a lanternfly, you might want to get rid of it right away. And trust me, I have personally encountered these bugs in my backyard. With their unusual and vibrant wings, they were nearly beautiful as they huddled together on my favorite maple tree. But despite their seemingly harmless demeanor, these insects can cause havoc.
Describe a lanternfly.
Despite its endearing name, the lanternfly is a serious nuisance. It was originally discovered in Pennsylvania, USA, in 2014. Its origins are in China. It has since expanded to other states, causing harm to the environment and agriculture in its wake. The problem with the lanternfly is that it hurts backyard gardeners like me just as much as it does commercial farmers.
The Harm They Inflict
A diverse range of plants and trees’ sap is consumed by lanternflies. In addition to weakening the plant, this feeding process may cause sooty mold to proliferate because of the sticky, sweet material known as honeydew that the plant excretes. By obstructing photosynthesis, this mold essentially chokes the life out of the plant. In my instance, I saw the mold growing and my maple tree’s once-vibrant leaves become drab and darkened.
The lanternfly’s appearance
The secret to limiting the proliferation of lanternflies is to recognize them. An inch is how long and half an inch is how wide an adult is. Their remarkable appearance is attributed to their gray wings with black markings at the front and regions hidden beneath that are a mixture of black and red. Their striking crimson underwings produce an eye-catching burst of color when they soar. Nymphs, or young forms, are black with white markings that turn red before they reach adulthood.
Feeding Procedure
The lanternfly pierces the plant to get to the sap using a long, needle-like mouthpart. Because it enables the insect to efficiently drain the plant’s life energy by directly accessing its nutrition routes, this feeding method is very dangerous. Watching them operate on my plants was terrifying and interesting at the same time.
Initial Observations
As I previously stated, Pennsylvania is where lanternflies were originally found in the United States. They most likely came from Asia on a cargo of stones or other products. They have been traveling throughout the states since they were initially discovered, mostly along the East Coast, but as they locate appropriate conditions and host plants, their range is growing.
How Should a Lanternfly Be Seen?
It is advised that you get rid of any lanternflies you come across. This may seem harsh, especially to those of us who would rather live in harmony with the natural world. But given the serious harm these insects may cause, it’s imperative to manage their number. The adults or nymphs can be directly squashed.
Taking Out Lanternfly Eggs
To control lanternfly populations, removing their eggs before they hatch is one of the best strategies. The egg masses, which resemble smears of gray mud, are frequently observed on smooth surfaces like as stones, tree bark, and even patio furniture. If you come across an egg mass, you can scrape it off and place it in a bag with hand sanitizer or alcohol to kill the eggs.
For me, interacting with lanternflies has been enlightening. It has shown me that, on occasion, protecting the larger ecosystem may require employing more severe tactics against certain insects. Keep in mind the harm that lanternflies can do and take appropriate action if you see one. It’s a tiny action that can rescue a lot of local plants and trees and potentially stop their spread to other areas. Those of us who are aware of the issue have a duty to successfully handle it and contribute to the maintenance of vibrant, healthy settings.
