SLF- Spotted Lanternfly
The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) has rapidly been making its way toward the Berkshires. Parts of Connecticut and Dutchess County, NY have also had an increase in sightings. We can expect the numbers to surge in the coming years. SLF was first detected in 2014 in Pennsylvania and has been spreading quickly ever since. They cause damage to woody and herbaceous trees by sucking the sap produced by the tree and excreting a sticky residue, “honeydew”. This process invites disease, such as sooty mold, and other pathogens that will stress and potentially kill the host plant.
The state of MA recommends being on the lookout for lanternflies and their egg masses, especially while traveling. They advise checking vehicles and clothing to reduce unintentional lanternfly transport, as they are known to “hitchhike”. The females like to lay their eggs in places that are safe from predators, usually near a food source. Fall, especially October, is the season when SLF begin laying eggs, which resemble a 1.5” gray or white smear. The eggs overwinter and hatch into nymphs once temperatures warm up.
Although the favored host is Tree-of-Heaven, there are over 100 different plant hosts that SLF enjoy feeding on. They are also known to enjoy red maple, silver maple, and willows. This insect has the potential to cause a lot of damage to forests, agriculture, and intentional plantings alike.
