Mountain Lakes prides itself on its trees. Its trees make it a home for so many, and without them, our town would undoubtedly be changed. There is currently a threat to the health of our trees: the spotted lanternfly. Morris County is currently listed by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture as a quarantine zone of the spotted lanternfly, meaning the area’s lanternfly levels are so high that visitors must be wary to not carry any flies with them to their non-infested destination. It is critical that our community be more educated on this subject to better mitigate the effects of this invasive species on our community’s trees, ecosystems, and aesthetic.
The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma deliculata, is an invasive species originally from China, brought to Pennsylvania accidentally in 2014. Now, the invasive species has spread across all of New Jersey and parts of New York, Massachusetts, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The spotted lanternfly feeds off of the sap of over 70 different plant species, with young flies (called nymphs) having the widest appetite. Adult flies, who feed in large groups in the late summer to fall, have specific plants they prefer to feed on. Adult spotted lanternflies often feed on the Tree of Heaven, another invasive species, and the Black Walnut; both are present in Mountain Lakes.
Spotted lanternflies are harmful to our trees for two primary reasons. Firstly, spotted lanternfly feeding causes serious plant damage according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, from wilting and leaf curling to full tree dieback, a condition when trees progressively die from the tips downward. Secondly, the lanternflies excrete a large amount of honeydew (sugary water) while feeding on trees and other plants. The presence of honeydew allows for the growth of a sooty mold fungus on plant surfaces, which leads to reduced photosynthesis and plant health.
You probably have seen the adult spotted lanternflies around town this fall. The adults are easily recognizable with a colorful red backside covered by black-spotted wings. In the winter, spotted lanternflies lay their eggs on primarily flat surfaces, often on tree trunks or on consumer items. In the summer, their nymphs are also easily identifiable with a red and black back with prominent white spots.
The spotted lanternfly is likely not going away anytime soon. So what can we do to manage it and mitigate its damage? First, survey your property for any forms of spotted lanternfly life specific to the season. Be sure to monitor closely and identify if there are any spotted-lanternfly-preferred trees on your property, including the Tree of Heaven, the Black Walnut, the Red Maple, Willows, and Sycamore Trees. Once you have identified spotted lanternflies, consider what plan of action you should take. In its Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide, PennState Extension recommends considering both the population of spotted lanternflies on your property and the vulnerability of your plants to the spotted lanternfly. More susceptible plants include preferred hosts, plants growing in poor weather conditions, or young plants. These two variables, based on the provided charts, will help you determine the best course of action for your property. Actions can range from traps and manual egg removal to using registered pesticides and Tree of heaven removal.
Finally, since Morris County is currently a quarantined area of spotted lanternflies, everyone must help to stop their spread. If you are ever moving any items, especially ones kept outdoors, to areas outside of the quarantine area, check all items thoroughly before leaving for any form of spotted lanternfly life, including egg masses, nymphs, or adults. This species is especially good at “hitchhiking,” one of the main reasons why it has spread so far already. Together, we can help protect our community’s trees for generations to come, one stomp at a time.
Want to learn more about what you can do to fight the spotted lanternfly? Here are some additional resources:
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