As I am sure you all know by now the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) has become a serious infestation in our area. We are coming up with a modified tree and shrub program for next season to address this most serious issue. Our current customers who do receive tree and shrub applications, there will have to be an evaluation and adjustment for this service if you wanted the SLF controlled (*cost of root zone injection is determined by the DBH of the plant material to be injected and the amount of product needed). The SLF do attack trees and shrubs that we normally do not treat. The spring root zone insecticide injection would be done Feb-June for those landscape plants that require this application. The regular insect sprays through the season will control the nymphs as well as the adults on other varieties of plant material. There has been an additional fall insect control added to our tree and shrub program. This application has been added to our current T&S full insect control program for those customers who obviously want additional protection for not only the SLF, but for late season spider mites as well. As Penn State and the Department of Agriculture learn more I will be updating the ‘Tips Page’ with the information. As of right now these are some of the varieties of plants I have observed and that are documented that the SLF do attack and should have the root zone insect injection done:

Maples – Styrax – Magnolias – Tulip Poplars – Sycamore – Roses – Cherries – Kousa Dogwood – Plums – Lindens – Birch – Amelanchier – Willow – Pine – Beech – Service Berry – Black Walnut – Tree of Heaven… and the list gets bigger and bigger every day!Weed or wild Mulberry trees should be removed as well as the Tree of Heaven that may be present.

Many of the products we already use do control the lantern fly. Controlling the egg casings is another story. The only control, at this time, is manual removal of the eggs and these eggs can be very high up on the underside of the branches. Dormant oil has been found to be ineffective for control of the egg casings.

I have observed that the lantern fly really loves congregating on maple trees in the late summer – fall to breed and lay their eggs on the branches. In high numbers their ‘honey dew’ draws a lot of bees and wasps so be careful around these areas. I have noticed many black faced hornets which can be very aggressive. Again, this is a very new pest to the area and we are doing everything possible to learn what we can for the proper control. For now, if you see one, step on it, swat it, smash it…. Manual control of even one female can greatly reduce the effects into next season.