PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — When spotted lanternflies were first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014, we had one objective: Kill them immediately.
The invasive species is dangerous to more than 100 trees and plants, killing grapevines and the tree of heaven, a fast-growing, invasive deciduous tree that’s native to China.
The insects use their straw-like beaks to feed on the tree’s sap, which causes them to leak more sap from the wounds and leave behind a sticky honeydew. That residue can lead to the growth of a fungal disease, Time reported.
However, a recent study by Penn State University found that hardwood trees, like maple, willow, and birch, may be less vulnerable than initially thought.
“When we first started detecting these things, they were in large numbers. … So because we didn’t know anything about them, it was a good idea to err on the side of caution,” said Dr. Christopher Tipping, chair and professor of biology at Delaware Valley University.
Researchers built enclosures containing multiple tree species, including the tree of heaven, silver maple, weeping willow and river birch. After two years, they reduced the density of insects to see if the tree would recover — and many did.
Most of the native trees recovered, but the invasive tree of heaven did not.
Unfortunately, invasive species like the spotted lanternfly will keep coming.
“I would like to think that as awareness is increased relating to these exotic pests, there could be more of a proactive stance relating to how we keep our eyes peeled for these pests,” Tipping said. “Prevention, early discovery and quarantine is always the road you want to go down.”
On the latest episode of KYW Newsradio In Depth, Tipping dissects the study’s findings and explains what this new information means for us now and in the future. Listen to the full conversation here, or wherever you get your podcasts.