Survival and development of Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) on common secondary host plants differ by life stage under controlled conditions

Abstract

Host range assessment for emerging invasive insects is a vital step toward fully defining the issues the insect may pose. Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive species that is rapidly expanding its presence in the United States. The primary hosts facilitating this spread are tree of heaven, a plant from SLF’s native range, and the economically important winegrape. Black walnut is also implicated as an important and common host plant. This study investigated the survival and development of SLF on diets that included a variety of crop host plants in the presence or absence of tree of heaven. The following plant species, ‘Honeycrisp’ apple, ‘Reliance’ peach, silver maple, and tree of heaven were paired with winegrape or black walnut throughout the study. SLF had strong development and high survival on a diet of winegrape alone, and winegrape or black walnut paired with tree of heaven. Survival parameters were reduced with all other plant pairings. In particular, SLF in the winegrape and peach diet treatment did not develop past the third nymphal instar. A second experiment evaluated the survival of early and late instar nymphs and adult SLF life stages on three specialty crops – ‘Cascade’ hops, muscadine grapes, and kiwifruit over a two-week period. Nymphs survived longer than adults, with survival of first and second instar nymphs on hops not differing from the control tree of heaven treatment. The adult stage survived best on kiwi and muscadine grape. Our results show tree of heaven and winegrape were the only single plant diets evaluated that are sufficient for complete SLF development, while other host plants may require additional host or hosts of sufficient nutritional quality for SLF survival.

Development and survivorship of Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) on cultivated and native Vitis spp. (Vitales: Vitaceae) of the Eastern United States

“…In this study, mating was not controlled for, so females in some cages lived without any males or males may have died before mating occurred. These data suggest that L. delicatula can live solely on winegrapes from hatching and produce offspring in the same year, confirming observations from a prior study (Elsensohn et al 2023).…”

“…All replicate data were included in the analysis; the average life span of all insects in the A. altissima treatment was 66.6 ± 5.0 days, while excluding the failed replicate, mean life span was 80.3 ± 5.6 days. In similar trials conducted under the same abiotic conditions, diets of A. altissima yielded the greatest survivorship (Nixon et al 2022b, Elsensohn et al 2023). As observed in previous research, V. rotundifolia did not support the development of nymphal L. delicatula , with all insects dying prior to or during the third instar life stage (Table 1) (Nixon et al 2022b).…”

“…Following the protocol from Nixon et al (2022b) and Elsensohn et al (2023), insects were reared from egg masses collected from A. altissima trees in Winchester, VA, in March 2022. Masses were held in ventilated storage at ambient conditions until brought to Fort Detrick, MD, quarantine facility in April.…”

“…Experimental research shows a varied ability for L. delicatula to exploit specific Vitis species as a host plant. Nixon et al (2022b) and Elsensohn et al (2023) found L. delicatula could not complete development to adulthood and had poor survival over 2 wk on V. rotundifolia , respectively. Conversely, Elsensohn et al (2023) found strong survivorship and development on V. vinifera .…”

“…Nixon et al (2022b) and Elsensohn et al (2023) found L. delicatula could not complete development to adulthood and had poor survival over 2 wk on V. rotundifolia , respectively. Conversely, Elsensohn et al (2023) found strong survivorship and development on V. vinifera . And while L. delicatula is observed on V. riparia in natural habitats, when it was included as a host along with Ailanthus altissima (Mill.)…”