The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), an invasive planthopper from Asia, has been a significant concern in the United States since its 2014 detection. This pest threatens vineyards, orchards, and various other plants by feeding on their sap and excreting a sticky substance known as honeydew, which promotes sooty mold growth. Its rapid spread has spurred interest in identifying natural enemies to manage populations. Understanding its predators offers insight into biological control strategies and natural adaptive responses to invasive species.
Identified Natural Enemies
Various animals in North America prey on spotted lanternflies, despite the insect lacking specialized local predators. Birds are significant opportunistic feeders; chickens frequently consume lanternfly nymphs. Wild birds such as Northern Cardinals, Gray Catbirds, Blue Jays, and Tufted Titmice actively feed on both adult and nymph stages. Woodpeckers and wrens have also been noted to attack them.
Insect predators also consume spotted lanternflies. Praying mantises, including Carolina and Chinese mantises, are effective predators that use their spiked front legs to capture and consume lanternflies. Spined soldier bugs, a native predatory stink bug, demonstrate high effectiveness in reducing lanternfly populations, often hunting in groups and consuming all life stages. Other arthropods observed preying on them include wheel bugs (a type of assassin bug), yellowjackets, and various spider species, particularly orbweaver spiders.
Beyond birds and insects, other animals eat spotted lanternflies. Small mammals like squirrels and bats have been observed consuming them. Amphibians like green frogs and reptiles like garter snakes are documented predators. In aquatic environments, goldfish and koi have been seen eating lanternflies that fall into water bodies.
Factors Affecting Predation
Several factors influence whether an animal preys on a spotted lanternfly. The lanternfly’s life stage affects its vulnerability, with nymphs and adults presenting different challenges for predators. Early instar nymphs are smaller, lacking defenses, making them easier targets. As they mature, fourth instar nymphs develop a distinctive red coloration and adults display bright red hindwings, which serve as a warning signal.
The spotted lanternfly’s diet also plays a role in its defense against predators. They can sequester bitter-tasting chemical compounds from certain host plants, particularly the invasive tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima). This sequestration may deter some predators, as these compounds make lanternflies taste unpleasant. However, studies indicate that some predatory arthropods consume lanternflies regardless of whether they fed on tree of heaven or other host plants.
Spotted lanternflies exhibit behavioral defenses when threatened. Their primary response to physical contact is to jump away rapidly. If escape is not possible, they may perform a deimatic display by flashing their conspicuous hindwings or even feign death, collapsing with legs folded to appear inanimate. These defense mechanisms, including cryptic forewings, defensive chemicals, and behavioral responses, operate at different stages of a predatory encounter.
Ecological Role and Human Efforts
Generalist predators in invaded regions offer a natural mechanism for managing spotted lanternfly populations. While no specific predators solely target the spotted lanternfly in North America, native species are adapting to utilize this abundant food source. Conserving and promoting these natural enemies could provide a sustainable approach to pest control, reducing reliance on chemical insecticides.
Human efforts support and enhance these natural processes. Research identifies effective native predators and understands their interactions with the lanternfly. Encouraging habitat diversity can support a wider range of natural predators. Scientists are also investigating biological control agents from the spotted lanternfly’s native range in Asia, such as parasitic wasps like Anastatus orientalis and Dryinus sinicus, which lay their eggs inside lanternfly eggs or nymphs.
Introducing non-native biological control agents requires extensive environmental impact studies and regulatory approval to prevent harm to native species. Community science initiatives, where the public reports observations of animals eating lanternflies, contribute valuable data. These combined strategies integrate natural predation into a broader pest management plan, fostering ecosystem balance and reducing the impact of this invasive species.