The egg masses are often found on the underside of branches or objects and vary in size, but are typically about 1 1/2" long and and 3/4" wide and look like grayish splotches of mud or putty. Check for the egg masses on tree trunks, branches, rocks, lawn furniture, and really anything that's outside. Finding Egg MassesĮggs can be found on any hard surface, including plastic, wood, and metal. With 30 – 50 eggs per egg mass, it’s especially important to inspect anything moving from an area that has an infestation to prevent the spread to a new location. Destruction of spotted lanternfly egg masses can help prevent the spread of spotted lanternfly. Late fall, after spotted lanternflies are killed by freezing temperatures and before they hatch in May, is a good time to find and destroy spotted lanternfly egg masses. Our friends at Penn State have created a detailed guide on how to build a circle trap. Circle TrapsĬircle traps consist of screening that encircles the trunk which funnels climbing spotted lanternflies into a container at the top from which they cannot escape. Carefully remove the sticky band and take it to a local wildlife rehabilitation center to avoid risk of injury to you or the accidental capture. If an animal, bat or bird is captured in the sticky band do not attempt to free it yourself. Regular monitoring will also provide the opportunity to more effectively deal with any by-catch if it occurs. In areas of heavy infestations, captured SLF nymphs can be so abundant that they cover the band, allowing remaining nymphs and adults to just walk over them without getting stuck. Whatever banding method is used, bands should be monitored on a regular basis (at least once a week). To limit this type of capture, a narrower band can be used to limit the surface area that is contacted by the larger animals or a cage made of chicken wire can be used to limit unwanted captures. However, when choosing the type of band to use, its stickiness is an important consideration as the use of stronger sticky bands can bring the unwanted consequences of capturing beneficial insects and pollinators, squirrels, bats and birds. Stickiness of the band used will determine how effective it is in capturing the various stages of spotted lanternfly.Įarly instars are more easily captured using bands that are less sticky but 4th instars and adults of this pest have shown the ability to walk over a less sticky band, or avoid them entirely. Because of this movement, sticky bands have been found to play a part in the monitoring and management of this pest.Īccording to work done in the quarantine zone in Pennsylvania, placing bands about 4 feet from the bottom of a tree has captured this insect both going up and coming down. Spotted lanternfly has a habit of moving up and down trees during the day, particularly the first three instars. Sticky bands are also less effective on fourth instar nymphs and adults which are either strong enough to walk across bands without getting stuck or avoid them by jumping or flying. If SLF becomes established in an area, sticky bands can’t provide a sole source of management because once they are full, remaining nymphs are far less likely to become stuck. Sticky bands take advantage of the propensity of this insect, especially the first three instars, to move up and down tree trunks. With no, or low populations, the use of sticky bands on trees, (especially on tree of heaven), act as both a monitoring and a management tool. A piece of vinyl window screening secured above the sticky band, secured with push pins at the top and flared out at the bottom several inches below the band can help prevent unintentional catches of other insects and birds. Sticky band traps encircling the trunk can be effective but they must be accompanied by a barrier to prevent the capture of beneficial insects and animals such as birds. Many egg masses could have been laid in the tree canopy above the trap, and the adult stage can fly into the higher branches without climbing the trunk. Although a trap may catch large numbers of insects it will not completely prevent spotted lanternfly's presence on that tree. The traps are best set by early May to capture the nymphs as they emerge from the egg masses. Traps can be useful to catch the spotted lanternfly nymphs and adults as they climb the tree trunk.
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