{"id":630,"date":"2023-05-15T13:08:04","date_gmt":"2023-05-15T17:08:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol-draft\/?page_id=630"},"modified":"2025-10-28T11:16:04","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T15:16:04","slug":"slf-management","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/projects\/slf-management\/","title":{"rendered":"Management"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-menu-wrapper\"><nav id=\"\" class=\"cl-menu  \" data-name=\"Spotted Lanternfly\" data-show-title=\"0\"><ul id=\"menu-spotted-lanternfly\" class=\"cl-menu-list cl-menu-list-no-js\"><li id=\"menu-item-652\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-652\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/projects\/spotter-lanternfly\/\">Spotted Lanternfly<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-650\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-650\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/projects\/slf-identification-and-life-cycle\/\">Identification and Life Cycle<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-649\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-649\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/projects\/slf-distribution-and-spread\/\">Distribution and Spread<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-651\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-651\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/projects\/slf-management\/\">Management<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/nav><\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"fullwidth\">\n<p><em><strong>For comprehensive management recommendations, please see&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/spotted-lanternfly-management-guide\">Penn State\u2019s spotted lanternfly management guide<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SLF Impact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Signs of SLF feeding include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>oozing sap originating from wounds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>wilting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>leaf curling<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>yellowing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>canopy dieback<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>SLF does not kill every tree it feeds on. Rather, it is a plant stressor that can damage hosts in combination with other stressors (such as disease or weather). However, following high infestation levels or multiple years of sustained feeding, it&nbsp;<em>is<\/em>&nbsp;possible for SLF to significantly weaken healthy host trees. Currently, grape growers in heavily infested areas are experiencing significant economic loss due to direct damages caused by feeding. Yield loss, reduction in cold hardiness of vines, and direct vine mortality have been observed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As spotted lanternflies feed, they excrete a sugar-rich substance known as&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/VVikY-N9V74\" target=\"_blank\">honeydew<\/a>&nbsp;(shown in the picture below). Nuisance insects such as wasps and ants may be attracted to accumulations of oozing sap and honeydew. A build-up of honeydew may also become colonized by sooty mold fungi, which can act as a photosynthesis barrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/Screen_Shot_2022_08_11_at_3.20.07_PM-7qxLiAhs-1024x590.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-634\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/Screen_Shot_2022_08_11_at_3.20.07_PM-7qxLiAhs-1024x590.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/Screen_Shot_2022_08_11_at_3.20.07_PM-7qxLiAhs-300x173.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/Screen_Shot_2022_08_11_at_3.20.07_PM-7qxLiAhs-768x443.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/Screen_Shot_2022_08_11_at_3.20.07_PM-7qxLiAhs-364x210.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/Screen_Shot_2022_08_11_at_3.20.07_PM-7qxLiAhs-500x288.jpg 500w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/Screen_Shot_2022_08_11_at_3.20.07_PM-7qxLiAhs-1000x576.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/Screen_Shot_2022_08_11_at_3.20.07_PM-7qxLiAhs.jpg 1225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Honeydew on Ailanthus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Though the extent of the SLF long-term impact is unknown, an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rural.pa.gov\/Resources\/reports\/assets\/25\/Spotted-Lanternfly-2019.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">economic report<\/a>&nbsp;in Pennsylvania estimated that it could drain Pennsylvania\u2019s larger economy of $324 million annually, through direct effects on the agricultural and forestry industries, as well as through indirect and induced effects. Currently, the greatest impact has been observed in Pennsylvania vineyards, where yield reductions of up to 80-90% have been reported. Re-infestation pressure following initial insecticide knockback has resulted in a drastic increase in the frequency of applications, with some growers spraying every 3-5 days during peak activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"514\" data-id=\"633\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/image023-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-633\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/image023-scaled-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/image023-scaled-1-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/image023-scaled-1-364x244.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/image023-scaled-1-500x335.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig. 1. Oozing sap resulting from spotted lanternfly feeding on tree of heaven. Photo credit: PA Dept. of Ag<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" data-id=\"636\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/image025-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-636\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/image025-scaled-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/image025-scaled-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/image025-scaled-1-364x273.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/image025-scaled-1-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig. 2. Leaf wilting and curling of a black walnut branch as a result of feeding by fourth instar spotted lanternfly nymphs. Photo credit: Virginia Tech.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"597\" data-id=\"632\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/image027-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-632\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/image027-scaled-1.jpg 900w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/image027-scaled-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/image027-scaled-1-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/image027-scaled-1-364x241.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/image027-scaled-1-500x332.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig. 3. Adult spotted lanternfly aggregation feeding on grapevines. Photo credit: Penn State Extension.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" data-id=\"635\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/image029-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-635\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/image029-scaled-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/image029-scaled-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/image029-scaled-1-364x273.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/image029-scaled-1-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig. 4. Vegetation at the base of a spotted lanternfly-infested tree with sooty mold. Photo credit: Penn State Extension.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-quote-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-quote  \"><blockquote>&#8220;SLF cannot be prevented from coming onto any one property&#8230; additionally, low numbers of SLF may not necessitate treatment&#8221;<\/blockquote><cite>Pennstate extension<\/cite><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SLF Management<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For comprehensive management recommendations, please see <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/spotted-lanternfly-management-guide\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/spotted-lanternfly-management-guide\">Penn State`s spotted lanternfly management guide<\/a>. Management guides for <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/spotted-lanternfly-management-in-vineyards\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/spotted-lanternfly-management-in-vineyards\">grape growers<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/spotted-lanternfly-management-for-landscape-professionals\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/spotted-lanternfly-management-for-landscape-professionals\">landscape professionals<\/a> are also available through Penn State Extension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For residents, growers, and landscape professionals, available management options include mechanical, cultural, and chemical control. Additionally, potentials for biological control are currently being researched. Scouting for SLF is <em>essential<\/em> in management, and it is crucial that landowners know where the infestation is and the degree of severity deciding on treatment. Additionally, the most effective management strategy likely involves an integrated approach which applies a combination of the following options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Stop the spread<\/strong>: Spotted lanternflies are hitchhikers, and it is crucial that vehicles and outdoor equipment (grills, outdoor furniture, landscaping supplies, mowers, etc.) are checked before moving if you are in the known range of SLF to stop the spread. Check for the egg masses, nymphs, and adults at appropriate times of the year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Finding and destroying egg masses:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/how-to-remove-spotted-lanternfly-eggs\">Mechanical destruction<\/a>&nbsp;of egg masses may help reduce SLF numbers locally, but continued management strategies may be necessary later in the season or following years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Removing Tree of Heaven (<em>Ailanthus altissima<\/em>), an SLF preferred host that is an invasive species:<\/strong>&nbsp;Although preferred host removal has not specifically been evaluated for success in managing SLF populations, this strategy can prevent honeydew and sooty mold accumulation on property beneath. When removing tree-of-heaven, proper treatment with herbicide must be applied to obtain effective control. For help identifying and treating tree-of-heaven, see the Penn State Extension\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/tree-of-heaven\">Tree-of-Heaven<\/a>&nbsp;publication.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Insecticides<\/strong>: Insecticide applications are often utilized when spotted lanternflies are present in considerable numbers and other control methods are not effective. Research from Penn State University has demonstrated that many insecticides are effective at killing SLF (see<a href=\"https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/spotted-lanternfly-management-guide\">&nbsp;Penn State\u2019s SLF management guide<\/a>&nbsp;for products available for use on SLF in Pennsylvania). However, there are many things to consider before deciding to use an insecticide to kill SLF, including:\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the number of SLF present,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>whether they are on a preferred host plant where they are likely to remain or on a plant they will move away from after a shorter visit,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the size and health of the plant,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the presence or absence of preferred host plants in the landscape,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and the life stage of SLF present.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Biological control:<\/strong>&nbsp;Currently, there are no biological control agents available for release to control spotted lanternfly. Researchers are testing a potential parasitoid, <em>Dryinus sinicus<\/em>, from China as a biocontrol agent for spotted lanternfly that attacks the second and third instar nymphs. The URI Biocontrol is contributing to the host specificity testing of these two potential parasitoids (see <a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/spotted-lanternfly-biocontrol\/\">URI Biocontrol Lab`s SLF Biocontrol<\/a> page). Some generalist predators (praying mantids, spiders, spined soldier bugs, etc.) have been observed attacking spotted lanternflies at low numbers. Two fungal pathogen species were also found attacking spotted lanternflies in Pennsylvania. One species,&nbsp;<em>Beauveria bassiana,&nbsp;<\/em>is commercially available as a biopesticide but is not currently recommended for SLF management unless optimized by future research.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/spottedLanternfly_managementGuide.png\" rel=\"lightbox[630]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"624\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/spottedLanternfly_managementGuide.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-646\" style=\"width:928px;height:357px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/spottedLanternfly_managementGuide.png 624w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/spottedLanternfly_managementGuide-300x115.png 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/spottedLanternfly_managementGuide-364x140.png 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2154\/spottedLanternfly_managementGuide-500x192.png 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Management options for spotted lanternfly throughout the year. Source: Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide, Penn State Extension publication<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Links<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/spotted-lanternfly-management-for-homeowners\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spotted Lanternfly Management for Homeowners<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1Du59anj3W-aU3wmnV9oRvHx6Hpo9_0O7\/view?usp=sharing\">Residential Control for Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) in Virginia<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.portland.gov\/trees\/news\/2023\/10\/5\/how-identify-tree-heaven\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Identify Tree of Heaven<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cals.cornell.edu\/integrated-pest-management\/outreach-education\/whats-bugging-you\/spotted-lanternfly\">NYSIPM SLF Host Guide\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dem.ri.gov\/press-releases\/dem-announces-it-will-treat-targeted-sections-lincoln-smithfield-north-providence\">RI DEM Press Release July 2024: Treatments of SLF infestations in Providence area<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For comprehensive management recommendations, please see&nbsp;Penn State\u2019s spotted lanternfly management guide. SLF Impact Signs of SLF feeding include: SLF does not kill every tree it feeds on. Rather, it is a plant stressor that can damage hosts in combination with other stressors (such as disease or weather). However, following high infestation levels or multiple years [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4711,"featured_media":0,"parent":17,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-630","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/630","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4711"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=630"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/630\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1365,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/630\/revisions\/1365"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/biocontrol\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=630"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}