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Best Management Practices for Spotted Lanternfly in Yards and Landscapes

ID

ENTO-344NP

Authors as Published

Eric Day, Extension Entomologist, Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech; Mark Sutphin, Virginia Cooperative Extension; and Theresa Dellinger, Insect Identification Lab, Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech

Introduction

Spotted lanternfly (SLF) can be successfully controlled in yards, landscapes, and other public areas with Best Management Practices. The key for success depends on the proper timing of applications and the use of effective chemicals or biological controls. Since SLF is highly mobile and can easily move from tree to tree, or from ground level to up into trees, it is important to monitor SLF populations on a repeated basis during the year. Do not move any infested materials to limit the spread of this pest. Be aware that SLF will likely move from unsprayed areas into treated areas after treatments dissipate. Table 1 will help you look for the appropriate life stage at the proper time of the year. Table 2 specifies which treatment recommendations are appropriate for the time of year.

Table 1. Time of year and expected life stage of SLF.
November – April Look for SLF egg masses on branches and trunks of plants. Even pencil-sized branches may hold egg masses. Egg masses on a tree branch.
May - June Early immature or nymph stages of SLF are black with white spots. Two inmature nymphs that are black with white spots.
Late June to early July The fourth and final stage of the SLF nymph has red coloration in addition to black with white spots. One nymph with red color and white spots.
Mid-July – October Adults are present from mid-July until a hard frost in late fall. Adults start laying eggs in mid-September. An adult spotted lanternfly with large grey wings with black spots.
         

Table 2. Time of year and appropriate treatments.
Activity January – April May – October November - December
Scrape eggs      
Apply dormant oil to egg masses      
Use sticky band traps on trunks      
Use contact insecticides as spot sprays      
Use soil drench of systemic insecticides      
Use organic sprays or biological control      
Do not move any infested materials      

Pesticides, Method of Application, and Timing for Best Control

Systemic insecticides, regardless of the application method, should be used after the tree or shrub has finished flowering. Soil drenches should not be used if flowering plants are planted at the base of the tree or shrub. These practices protect pollinators. Systemic sprays are not effective against egg masses.

Table 3. Systemic insecticides, methods, and timing for control of spotted lanternfly
Systemic Insecticides Active Ingredient Method of Application Timing for Best Control
Dinotefuran Soil drench or trunk spray July to September
Imidacloprid Soil drench After flowering to July
Imidacloprid Trunk injection July to September

Contact insecticides should be used as a spot spray for clusters of SLF adults or nymphs found on vegetation. The products listed below are effective, but SLF is highly mobile and will likely to move from untreated areas into treated areas after the insecticide wears off. Contact insecticides are not recommended for egg masses.

Table 4. Contact insecticides, methods, and timing for control of spotted lanternfly
Contact Insecticides Active Ingredient Method of Application Timing for Best Control
Bifenthrin Trunk, branch, and foliage sprays May – early July Spot sprays as needed. Repeat in fall if necessary
Carbaryl Trunk, branch, and foliage sprays May – early July Spot sprays as needed. Repeat in fall if necessary
Zeta-cypermethrin Trunk, branch, and foliage sprays May – early July Spot sprays as needed. Repeat in fall if necessary
Malathion Trunk, branch, and foliage sprays May – early July Spot sprays as needed. Repeat in fall if necessary
Tau-fluvalinate + tebuconazole Trunk, branch, and foliage sprays May – early July Spot sprays as needed. Repeat in Fall if necessary

Organic Control: Neem oil and natural pyrethrin’s can be used when SLFs are found on plants, but repeated applications of these materials may be necessary as SLF is very mobile and more will move in after the pesticide wears off.

Dormant oil can be used as a spot spray on egg masses, but should only be used in late winter and before bud break in the spring. Some horticultural oils and paraffinic oils can be used as a spot spray on egg masses on trees in the growing season, but these materials should be tested on a few branches first to make sure it will not harm the tree. Wait 2 weeks and retreat entire tree if no damage is observed to the tree. Do not use oil sprays as a preventative application to a tree against egg-laying by SLF; this is not effective.

Table 5. Organic insecticides, methods, and timing for control of spotted lanternfly
Organic Controls Method of Application Timing for Best Control
Neem oil Trunk, branch and foliage sprays May – early July Spot sprays as needed. Repeat in fall if necessary.
Natural pyrethrin’s Trunk, branch and foliage sprays May – early July Spot sprays as needed. Repeat in fall if necessary.
Insecticidal soap Trunk, branch and foliage sprays May – early July Spot sprays as needed. Repeat in fall if necessary.
Horticultural oil and paraffinic oil Trunk, branch and foliage sprays May – early July Spot sprays as needed. Repeat in fall if necessary. May damage some plants; treat a small area and wait 2 weeks to make sure it will not harm plants.
Dormant oil Trunk and branches with egg masses. Do not apply to foliage. Directly on egg masses. Treat from mid-February to late April, beginning when overnight temperatures do not go below freezing the first night after application.

Biological Control: Fungal preparations can be applied from early May to early June. Fungal preparations are limited by environmental conditions such as moisture levels and temperature. They are slow-acting and control may not be apparent for several weeks. Also, SLF is highly mobile and will likely to move from untreated areas into a treated area over time.

Table 6. Biological controls, methods, and timing for control of spotted lanternfly
Biological Controls Method of Application Timing for Best Control
Burkholderia spp. strain A396 (Venerate XC) Trunk, branch and foliage sprays May – early July Spot sprays as needed.
Beauveria bassiana (Botanigard, etc.) Trunk, branch and foliage sprays May – early July Spot sprays as needed.

References

Leach, Heather, E. Swackhamer, and A. Korman. 2019. “Spotted Lanternfly Management for Landscape Professionals.” https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly-management-for-landscape-professionals

Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, reprint, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.

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Publication Date

December 17, 2019

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