The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive insect that poses a significant threat to agriculture and natural ecosystems. Originally from China and Vietnam, this planthopper was first detected in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014. It feeds on the sap of over 70 plant species, including economically important crops like grapes and fruit trees, weakening them and causing crop loss. Understanding its natural enemies is important for developing effective management and biological control methods.
Lanternfly Predators in Their Native Habitats
In its native Asian range, the spotted lanternfly’s populations are naturally kept in check by specific parasitic wasps. These specialized predators include the egg parasitoid Anastatus orientalis, which lays its eggs inside lanternfly egg masses. Other important natural enemies are nymphal parasitoids like Dryinus browni and Dryinus sinicus, with Dryinus sinicus also attacking egg stages.
These native specialist predators did not spread with the spotted lanternfly when it was introduced to new regions. Their absence in invaded areas is a primary reason why spotted lanternfly populations can grow unchecked, causing widespread damage. While Ooencyrtus kuvanae, a wasp introduced to control gypsy moths, has been observed parasitizing lanternfly egg masses, it is not a native North American predator. The effectiveness of these native specialist predators in Asia highlights their potential for future biological control efforts.
Predators in Invaded Areas
In invaded areas like North America, various generalist predators feed on spotted lanternflies. These opportunistic feeders include bird species, with gray catbirds specifically noted for consuming them. Community science studies also report birds as predators.
Among insects, praying mantises (Carolina and Chinese) are effective predators. Spined soldier bugs, a type of predatory stink bug, have shown particular effectiveness, consistently consuming lanternflies in controlled studies. Other arthropods such as wheel bugs, lady beetles, lacewings, yellow jackets, and spiders also prey on them. However, these native generalist predators are typically not sufficient to control the large populations of this invasive pest. This limited impact is partly due to the lanternfly’s ability to sequester toxins from host plants like the tree of heaven, which may deter some predators.
Current Research and Biological Control Efforts
Ongoing research focuses on identifying and evaluating new biological control agents to manage spotted lanternfly populations. A primary goal is to find specialist predators or pathogens from the lanternfly’s native range that can be safely introduced to invaded areas. Promising candidates include the parasitic wasps Anastatus orientalis and Dryinus sinicus, which attack different life stages.
Before release, any new biological control agent undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it will not harm non-target native species. This process, which can take several years, involves detailed host specificity trials to confirm the agent exclusively targets the spotted lanternfly. The aim is to develop sustainable, long-term solutions that reduce reliance on chemical insecticides, which can have broader environmental impacts. While challenges exist, researchers are hopeful these targeted biological controls will help regulate lanternfly numbers in the future.