Research to determine the effectiveness of management methods against the spotted lanternfly is underway for a portion of the Blue Marsh Lake Recreation Area.
The study — led by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences — builds on related research designed to find effective methods of controlling spotted lanternflies over a larger landscape to protect natural resources, according to a release from Penn State.
The invasive insect from Asia was discovered in North America in Berks in 2014. It has since spread to at least 45 Pennsylvania counties as well as New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia.
The insect feeds on more than 100 species of plants, including important agricultural commodities. Observation and research have documented that spotted lanternflies can cause significant economic damage to grape vines and are a stressor to other hosts it feeds upon in parks, backyards and natural areas.
Control of the pest across the multiple landscape types it infests has not been investigated thoroughly, noted study lead David Biddinger, research professor of entomology at Penn State’s Fruit Research and Extension Center in Biglerville.
“While researchers are working to understand better the direct long- and short-term impacts of spotted lanternfly feeding on forest trees, only three trials conducted by Penn State have compared methods to control and suppress spotted lanternflies in forests,” Biddinger said.
“It is imperative that we conduct an in-depth examination of effective application methods with effective products that will control spotted lanternflies to protect our forests and neighboring agriculture and landscapes, but also to understand the immediate and long-term effects on nontarget insects,” Biddinger said.
The applications of two insecticides — dinotefuran and bifenthrin, a neonicotinoid and a pyrethroid insecticide, respectively — are being evaluated for state and federal spotted lanternfly control programs were conducted July 7 on about 2 acres typically not frequented by park visitors, apart from seasoned hikers and hunters.
They are being monitored weekly with three types of traps to determine impacts on nontarget arthropods, especially bees.
Evaluations of the treatments will continue through the end of August. No further insecticide applications will be made.
The scientists are communicating about the research with nearby residents, local officials, regulatory agencies and other stakeholders.
Anyone with questions can contact Biddinger by email at djb134@psu.edu.
More information on how to identify and control spotted lanternfly, how to report an infestation and how to comply with quarantine regulations is available on the Penn State Extension website at extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly.
