Spotted lanternfly not a problem?

[ATH]

"Invasive spotted lanternfly may not damage hardwood trees as previously thought"

Invasive spotted lanternfly may not damage hardwood trees as previously thought

In 2012, when the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) arrived in the U.S. from its home in China, scientists, land managers, and growers were understandably concerned that the sap-feeding insect would damage native and commercial trees. New long-term research led by Penn State has discovered...

phys.org

I'm not sure I agree with their conclusion. Same conclusion can likely be had with he same experimental design and gypsy moth. It doesn;t seem to account for trees under previous stressors. If a tree that is already struggling faces such an attack, it won't likely recover.

Curious what those who have experience with SLF think. It's only a couple of counties away so I gotta be ready!

 

[Treeaddict]

I’m seeing less SLF this year in our area. Last year was much worse. Several local trees in our neighborhood were covered in SLF last year and they seem to be doing well.

I really wonder about the disease/fungus vector capabilities of the insect.

 

[Treeaddict]

Thank you for posting that article.

I agree with your concern. What happens when there’s a drought AND SLF infestation? I suppose time will tell.

Interesting that, if comprehended properly, the Ailanthus didn’t recover as well as our native hardwoods.

 

[The Green One]

ATH,

SLF became an issue in the 2020 season here in North/Central New Jersey.

When the young instars molt into winged Adults, they leave the Roses, grapes ect, and fly to the Ailanthus, Weeping Willow, River Birch and the Silver Maple sometime Late August timeline here.

IF the property has Ailanthus, I find them there first 100% of the time. IF not then check the other 3 mentioned above as they seem to like those equally. Check your Walnuts as well, higher up in the Canopy.

I have only seen the SLF actually KILL Ailanthus, by the end of the 2nd year of infestation here (Non drought seasons here 2020/21) and they are a Major nuisance on the other trees as Adults. MAD Amounts of Honeydew (Worse than Tuliptree Scale for example)

Management for me was Treat the Ailanthus trees on sight as "Trap Trees" using a Trunk Spray of Safari (The Gold Standard) at the label rate, from Taper/Root collar upward to 6 feet. On a DRY day of course and I never added Pentra-bark, and works very good 100% of the time.

Also from experience, the A.I. claims 3 month half life......I go out a bit later in September with the Trunk sprays, so there is enough A.I. left in the treated tree, to get to the end of the Egg Laying period.

I treat the product as IF it has a 2 month half-life, in case of late season warmth.........

We had a drought in 2022, and I saw a more than 50% reduction this 2023 season so far regarding Instar stages.

Keep your eyes peeled.

 

[Basswood]

I’m in the same camp as the article. I’ve yet to see major damage and around here they mostly just hang out on the Ailanthus.

 

[oldoakman]

I still think they would work well eradicating Kudzu here in the deep south. We do t really have Alanthus, and if they are leaving other species pretty much alone, why not

 

[Stumpsprouts]

I still think they would work well eradicating Kudzu here in the deep south. We do t really have Alanthus, and if they are leaving other species pretty much alone, why not

Oh that would be amazing.
We have kudzu and ailanthus in spades, here.