Bats are nocturnal mammals often associated with pest control, while lanternflies are an invasive insect causing widespread concern. Many seek natural solutions to control these destructive insects, raising the question of whether bats prey on them. Understanding their roles in respective ecosystems can help clarify these interactions.
Understanding the Lanternfly Threat
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive planthopper first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014, originating from China, India, and Vietnam. It has since spread across at least 18 states, including those in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Lanternflies cause significant damage by feeding on the sap of over 70 plant species, including economically important crops such as grapevines, fruit trees, and timber. Their feeding weakens plants and results in the excretion of a sticky, sugary substance called honeydew, which promotes the growth of black sooty mold. This extensive damage highlights the need for effective control methods.
Bat Dietary Habits
Most bats found in North America are insectivores, primarily consuming insects. They use echolocation, a system of sound waves, to locate and catch flying or crawling insects in the dark. Common prey for these bats includes moths, mosquitoes, beetles, midges, flying ants, crickets, and flies. A single brown bat can consume hundreds of mosquito-sized insects in an hour. Bats often forage in areas where these insects are abundant, such as over open fields, wetlands, and near streetlights.
The Verdict: Do Bats Prey on Lanternflies?
Recent scientific research indicates that some native bat species do prey on spotted lanternflies. A study from Rutgers University, analyzing bat guano (droppings), found spotted lanternfly DNA. Specifically, big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) and eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis) were identified as consumers of this invasive pest. Researchers observed an increase in the detection of lanternfly DNA in bat guano over several years, suggesting that bats are increasingly incorporating them into their diet.
Bats are opportunistic insect feeders, consuming what is available in their environment. Adult lanternflies are most prevalent from July through September, which coincides with the period when bats actively feed to build fat reserves for winter. While lanternflies are known to sequester bitter-tasting chemical compounds from their preferred host plant, the tree of heaven, as a defense, studies show that some predators, including bats, consume them regardless of this defense mechanism. This suggests that bats may become a contributing factor in the natural control of lanternfly populations.
Alternative Predators and Management Strategies
Beyond bats, several other natural predators feed on spotted lanternflies. These include:
- Various insects such as spined soldier bugs, praying mantises (Carolina and Chinese species), wheel bugs, and parasitic wasps like Ooencyrtus kuvanae.
- Birds, including gray catbirds, cardinals, blue jays, and tufted titmice, have also been observed consuming lanternflies.
- Other animals like orbweaver spiders, garter snakes, squirrels, and even domestic animals like chickens and cats have been reported to prey on them.
Human-led management efforts are also underway to control spotted lanternfly populations. These strategies include:
- Mechanical removal, such as crushing individuals or knocking them into soapy water.
- Scraping and destroying egg masses, which are often found on trees and hard surfaces, to reduce future generations.
- Traps, like sticky bands placed on tree trunks, to capture nymphs as they climb.
- Removing the invasive tree-of-heaven, a preferred host plant for lanternflies, to limit their spread.
- Chemical controls, including insecticidal soaps, neem oil, and systemic insecticides, often utilized as part of an integrated pest management approach.