Proven Treatment for Spotted Lanternfly
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture this invasive pest “could be the most destructive species in 150 years.”
Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive pest, originally from Asia that is currently and rapidly spreading across the country.
Native to Asia, the brightly colored planthopper was first discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014.Established populations are now found in Pennsylvania and Virginia and the pest has been identified in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware and Maryland, and other bordering states are on alert. The Spotted Lanternfly nymphs will feed on a wide range of plant species, including grape, hops, grasses and fruit trees, while adults prefer to feed on trees, particularly Tree of Heaven, walnut, maple, birch, and others, posing a serious threat to agriculture and tourism.
Here at Arborjet we have developed a proven and effective treatment solution to help mitigate the invasively threating insect. To treat the Spotted Lanternfly, Arborjet uses a systemic micro-injectable product IMA-jet. “In recent field trials, this treatment proved successful in eliminating the pest from the host tree and reducing honeydew and sooty mold production,” states Don Grossman our Technology Advancement Manager & Entomologist here at Arborjet.
The pest sucks the sap from plants and trees and produces a sticky residue, referred to as honeydew, that supports sooty mold growth. People moving infested materials have aided its rapid spread. Adults lay 1-inch-long egg masses in the fall on nearly anything from tree trunks and rocks to vehicles and firewood.
Spotted Lanternfly is known to feed on the sap of 70 different species of plants.
This feeding results in the production of copious amounts of honeydew and subsequently sooty mold on and under infested trees, as well as, causing the decline and mortality of trees due to the significant sap loss in consecutive growing seasons. With no native predator, the Spotted Lanternfly population has flourished.
“Arborjet uses the latest technology, injecting and sealing the formulation in the tree’s vascular system. Nothing is placed in the soil or into the air, making it a safer more sustainable treatment option, with far greater efficacy than other methods,” said Arborjet COO Russ Davis.
If you find an insect that you suspect is the Spotted Lanternfly, contact an expert at Arborjet today to put you in touch with a service provider.
