(Des Moines) The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) is asking Iowans to be on the lookout for spotted lanternfly (SLF) insects. The colorful but invasive and destructive insect is native to Asia and was unintentionally introduced into Pennsylvania in 2014. SLF has now found its way to nearly 20 states, often spreading by the movement of infested material or items containing egg masses.
In September, a community member in Des Moines County notified IDALS of the presence of an adult SLF in an industrial area with significant truck traffic from outside Iowa. IDALS entomologists provided the sample to the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS), and the USDA confirmed it was a SLF.
IDALS entomologists have conducted surveys of the immediate area, which has not resulted in signs of an ongoing infestation. While it is possible the insect recently arrived on a trucking shipment, members of the public are encouraged to report any possible sightings to IDALS.
If SLF spreads further throughout the United States, this pest could negatively impact the country’s grape, orchard, nursery, and logging industries.
SLF feeds on more than 70 plant species, with tree of heaven as its highly preferred host. Tree of heaven produces many seeds, grows quickly, and can out-compete native plants. SLF nymphs and adults have high survival rates and adult females can produce many more eggs when they feed on tree of heaven as compared with other tree species. In Iowa, tree of heaven is most often found in unkept urban areas such as alleys and undeveloped land, disturbed areas such as floodplains, and wooded terrain that commonly experience flooding. It is often also found in fence rows, roadsides, woodland edges and forest openings.
SLF adults and nymphs frequently gather in large numbers on host plants. They are easiest to spot at dusk or at night as they migrate up and down the trunk of the plant. During the day, they tend to cluster in the canopy or near the base of the plant if there is adequate cover. A buildup of sticky honeydew on plants or the ground underneath the plants may be present. A sooty mold may also occur on infested plants and fruit.
If you spot SLF in Iowa, please call the IDALS Entomology and Plant Science Bureau at 515-725-1470 or e-mail Entomology@IowaAgriculture.gov. You may also contact your local county Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Office.
(Image courtesy of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry)
