Hello, everyone,
Since my last posting, there have been some spotted
lanternfly (SLF) developments. As you
know from previous postings, there is a distinctive difference in appearance of
fourth instar nymphs compared with the first three stages. The fourth instar is bright red with black
and white markings, instead of black with white spots. Fourth instar nymphs appeared on June 29 by
two separate observers. As with earlier
instars, this was in advance of the date predicted (July 9) based on a Korean
paper tied with our observed first egg hatch.
A second, and more important development, is that first
adults were seen yesterday (July 12).
Observers were on-site on July 6 and July 11, when only nymphs were
seen, so the July 12 date seems reliable.
The original prediction of adult emergence was July 31 – clearly, SLF
development is faster relative to South Korea.
This is probably related to climatic differences. The Korean paper used simple calendar days,
when degree-days would have provided a more realistic result.
We will now be watching for the beginning of the
oviposition. We will be looking for egg
masses on various tree species, stone, train cars and parked truck trailers (a
rail line and several industrial sites are located in the infestation zone).
Thanks
to Corey Riedel (VT Fruit Entomology) and David Gianino (VDACS) for the photos!
We have posted further information on SLF, linked here:
Virginia Cooperative
Extension web page:
Spotted lanternfly
fact sheet (Virginia Tech):
Spotted lanternfly Pest
Alert (Virginia Tech):
Spotted lanternfly
fact sheet (Spanish; USDA):
VERY IMPORTANT: A web site to report suspected finds
of SLF, including uploading of digital photos.:
I’ll be posting developments on this pest here as they
develop.
More later!
Doug
