The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) recently detected spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in Wayne County with USDA confirming it as the notorious pest. This confirmation follows an extensive survey across 20 counties, during which MDARD identified additional populations of this invasive pest in Monroe, Wayne, and Oakland counties. While spotted lanternfly had previously been detected in Michigan counties of Monroe and Oakland, these surveys revealed new infestations in each location.
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Up close with the spotted lanternfly. The invasive pest continues to spread around parts of the U.S., posing a threat to fruit growers and their crops. Photo courtesy of Delaware Department of Agriculture
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There are four stages in the growth of the spotted lanternfly. Photo by Ruth Tam
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A gypsy moth egg mass (right) next to an egg mass of the spotted lanternfly (left) on a tree trunk. Egg cases of the spotted lanternfly can be found on tree bark and other nearby smooth surfaces. Photo by Greg Hoover, Penn State University
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Spotted lanternfly adults and fourth-instar nymphs, with the bright red coloring, feed on a grapevine. Photo by Eric Clifton/Cornell University
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Adult Spotted Lanternflies on a grape trunk. Photo by Heather Leach
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This map illustrates areas in the U.S. that have been identified as possible spotted lanternfly habitat. Graphic courtesy of USDA-ARS
Originally native to eastern Asia, spotted lanternfly was first detected in the U.S. in 2014 in southeastern Pennsylvania and has since spread to 17 eastern and midwestern states.
Spotted lanternfly prefers to feed on the invasive tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), but also feeds on a wide range of plants including grapevines and trees such as black walnut, river birch, willow, sumac, and red maple. When feeding, spotted lanternfly produces a sticky liquid, honeydew, that can collect on the ground or surrounding vegetation. This results in the growth of sooty mold, which can discolor and kill plants.
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015Spotted Lanternfly Invasion Continues To Spread in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) houses four bureaus and is comprised of ten divisions that use a customer-driven, solution-oriented approach to cultivate and expand new economic opportunities for the food and agricultural sector; safeguard the public’s food supply; inspect and enforce sound animal health practices; control and eradicate plant pests and diseases threatening the $104.7 billion food and agriculture system; preserve the environment by which the farming community makes their living and feeds consumers; and protect consumers by enforcing laws relating to weights and measures. See all author stories here.
