Thursday, December 12, 2024
The Herald and other publications have detailed the negative impacts of the invasive spotted laternfly on Long Island, and while the population of these unwelcome insects continues to require intervention to prevent their unchecked spread across our region, there are steps that every Long Islander can take in their own backyard to protect against them.
At the Long Island Conservancy, we are eager to share some tips that will make a positive impact — and in some cases, multiple positive outcomes by eradicating not only this invasive insect, but also invasive plants that serve as the lanternfly’s primary food source.
First off, much like the MTA’s famous slogan, if you see something, squish something! This fall, keep your eyes peeled for egg masses, and make sure to destroy them through the spring.
Removing the tree of heaven, an invasive non-native plant, is a top priority when it comes to proactive ways to eradicate the lanternfly. The tree of heaven is a fast-growing, invasive species across North America that you may not recognize by sight, but you certainly can by scent — it’s also known as the stinking sumac, stink tree, stink weed, and a variety of other names including “stink.”
The plant is spreading with the same vigor as the lanternfly, and removing it eliminates the insect’s favorite food. Mechanical removal is possible: Girdle it, rip it out and remove it; whatever you can do to set them back. Make sure to follow up to ensure it doesn’t regrow.
Many land managers and conservation professionals have warned against mechanical removal, encouraging the use of herbicides instead. In our experience, this isn’t necessary; while the removed/damaged trees will sucker up, if you pull the suckers biweekly for a growing season, the roots will give up the ghost and the problem can be eliminated.
The tree of heaven is a significant problem in our region, not just because of the smell, but because it chokes out beneficial native plants. In the case of the lanternfly, the plant is essentially the closest thing to “home cooking” for a species displaced halfway across the world.
If getting rid of that awful smell isn’t enough incentive, early scientific research suggests that lanternflies that feed on the tree of heaven sequester toxins, called quassinoids, that make our native birds extremely less likely to eat them. So the lanternflies are essentially exempt from the food chain, another reason why so many have managed to thrive in our competitive environment. This is, by the way, why they have those bright red warning colors!
And the tree of heaven isn’t the only invasive species of plant that supports the lanternfly population. Porcelainberry and other species that originated in Asia are key sources of food. Every pernicious invasive species removed means more available space for native, healthy species to grow and thrive on Long Island.
When it comes to native species, there are a few to consider planting, like milkweed. I’ve seen dead lanternflies on milkweed plants — it appears that the dopey insects feed on them and poison themselves. (If you need a bonus reason to plant milkweed, the influx of monarch butterflies is lovely!)
While taking steps to remove invasive plants in your yard and replace them with native species is proactive, some people are well past that point — they’re dealing with infestations. In that case, you may be ready to set up a trap around a native host tree.
Observe where the lanternflies congregate most on your land and set your trap up there. While they tend to like walnut and sumac the best, they’ve been seen on maples, birches, sycamore and other trees. Building a trap is easy — you can find a step-by-step guide at https://extension.psu.edu/how-to-build-a-spotted-lanternfly-circle-trap.
For saplings that aren’t big enough for a proper trap, just knock the bugs into a soapy dish. Some will hop away, but they’re quite easy to catch this way, and if you do this once a day, over time you’ll see fewer of them returning.
While combating the spotted lanternfly has been compared to trying to keep water off the beach because there are so many, by eradicating invasive species like the tree of heaven, we are helping to protect our environment now and for years to come.
Frank Piccininni is the president of Spadefoot Design and Construction and a co-founder of the Long Island Conservancy.
