The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive planthopper that has become established across North America since its initial detection in Pennsylvania in 2014. Originating from Asia, this insect poses a serious threat to agriculture and native plants, including grapevines, fruit trees, and hardwoods. Its rapid spread and ability to feed on over 100 different plant species have raised concerns about its economic and environmental impact. The core question is whether native birds are learning to consume this new, abundant food source.
Documented Bird Species That Eat Lanternflies
Native North American birds have been observed preying on spotted lanternflies, suggesting a gradual adaptation to this unfamiliar insect. Observations gathered through community science projects and university research have documented a variety of species adding the planthopper to their diets. Resident birds such as the Northern Cardinal, Gray Catbird, Blue Jay, and Tufted Titmouse are among the most frequently reported avian predators.
Birds consume both the flightless nymphs and the winged adults. Other documented species include the House Wren, Great Crested Flycatcher, and Red-bellied Woodpecker. Backyard poultry, specifically chickens, are also noted as enthusiastic, opportunistic consumers of the insects.
The behavior is generally opportunistic, meaning birds will consume the lanternflies when they are easily accessible, rather than systematically seeking them out as a primary food source. Researchers note that the birds appear to be learning this new feeding behavior over time. Reports of birds consuming lanternflies provide evidence that the insect is not universally avoided.
Understanding the Spotted Lanternfly’s Defense Mechanisms
The primary reason why bird predation is not more widespread relates to the spotted lanternfly’s chemical defense system. This defense is acquired from its preferred host, the invasive Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), which contains bitter compounds. The spotted lanternfly sequesters these deterrent chemicals, known as quassinoids, into its body tissues as it feeds on the tree’s sap.
This sequestration makes the insect distasteful to many potential avian predators. Controlled feeding trials have shown that birds prefer to eat lanternflies raised on non-host plants over those that fed on the Tree of Heaven. This suggests that the chemical content of the insect is the main factor influencing a bird’s willingness to consume it.
The conspicuous markings of the adult lanternfly serve as a visual warning to predators. This phenomenon, known as aposematism, signals the insect’s unpalatability, allowing birds to associate the striking visual pattern with the unpleasant taste. Using both chemical and visual deterrence, the spotted lanternfly discourages most birds from making a meal of it.
Assessing Birds as a Biological Control Method
While numerous bird species consume spotted lanternflies, their overall impact on large-scale population reduction is currently limited. The rate of consumption is often too low and too sporadic to significantly curb the reproductive capacity of the planthopper. The insect’s acquired toxicity from the Tree of Heaven is a major factor preventing native predators from functioning as an effective control agent.
Removing the invasive Tree of Heaven can reduce the chemical defenses of the lanternflies in a localized area, potentially encouraging greater bird predation. However, birds alone cannot manage widespread infestations. Other native predators, such as praying mantises and spiders, also consume the insects, contributing to a natural pushback against the invasive species.
In areas where the spotted lanternfly was first detected, populations have begun to decline, which experts attribute to a combination of factors, including the gradual emergence of native predators and pathogens. Birds are a valuable part of this emerging natural control system, but they are viewed as one component in a suite of management strategies rather than a standalone solution.