Tarmac Online

Aidan McGirr ’28

Ever seen a mysterious insect on campus with red spots and six legs? Well, you might have just encountered a lanternfly. These bugs are an invasive species from Southeast Asia, identified as Lycorma delicatula in the scientific community. They were carried to North America through accidental transportation when a stone shipment was being imported from China to the US—these unexpected passengers were hitchhiking on the stone being transported, since stone is one of the many materials they lay their eggs on.

Since their arrival, they have established themselves in 16 states: Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These states were ideal because of their relatively mild temperatures of 59-86°F and mild winters, where the insects can’t be killed by the cold.

Their life cycle starts as eggs, then develops into black and white nymphs (some being red with white dots), and finally emerges as the adult bug we know today. The lanternflies have their mating season in late summer and early fall, which is why they are so prevalent on campus now. Their egg-laying season follows in quick succession from September through November. The adults die when temperatures drop to 28°F, while the eggs survive through winter for spring hatching.

Unfortunately, these bugs are quite harmful to the floral landscape of Chaminade. They specifically target the tree of heaven most of the time, which also happens to be from China. They also feed on hops, maple, walnut, grapevine, and fruit trees. While they feed on these plants, they suck their sap, making the plants vulnerable to diseases and insect attacks.

Moreover, according to New York State, “SLF also excrete large amounts of sticky ‘honeydew’, which: promotes the growth of sooty molds that interfere with plant photosynthesis, negatively affecting the growth and fruit yield of plants; attracts swarms of insects that hinder outdoor activities; and results in people getting honeydew on their hair, clothes, and other belongings when going outside.” This demonstrates how harmful the spotted lanternfly is to plants by impacting their health and affecting the surrounding environment. While summer is ending and autumn is beginning, plant damage remains a concern since these bugs will continue harming plants that are vital to our landscape.

However, the lanternfly isn’t invincible—there are ways to eliminate them. For instance, insecticides can kill them easily, as can vinegar, but both methods can harm plants. There are also plant-friendly approaches, such as vacuum removal, crushing the insects, and planting milkweed (whose sap kills them). The most effective method is to scrape egg masses into a bucket filled with hot or boiling soapy water, or into a jar. By inspecting outdoor items like firewood, stone, and furniture, finding the eggs becomes easier, and stopping them becomes much more manageable.