The Spotted Lanternfly Invasion: How New York’s Tree Care Industry is Adapting to Combat This Destructive Pest

The emerald-colored landscapes of New York are under siege from an unlikely invader: the spotted lanternfly. Since its first detection in Pennsylvania in 2014 and arrival in New York in 2020, with the first New York State infestation discovered in Staten Island in August 2020, this Asian planthopper has fundamentally changed how tree care professionals approach plant protection strategies across the state.

Understanding the Threat

The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive insect pest from Asia that primarily feeds on trees of heaven but can also feed on a wide variety of plants such as grapevine, hops, maple, walnut, and fruit trees. What makes this pest particularly dangerous is its voracious appetite and rapid reproduction cycle. Adults and nymphs use their sucking mouthparts to feed on the sap of more than 70 plant species, and this feeding, sometimes by thousands of SLF, stresses plants, making them vulnerable to disease and attacks from other insects.

The economic implications are staggering. New York’s annual yield of apples and grapes has a combined value of more than $350 million, which could be greatly impacted by SLF. The estimated total economic impact of invasive insects in the United States exceeds $70 billion per year, and if not contained, SLF could have an impact to New York State of at least $300 million annually, mainly to the grape and wine industry.

The Honeydew Problem

Beyond direct plant damage, spotted lanternflies create additional challenges through their waste products. SLF excrete large amounts of sticky “honeydew”, which promotes the growth of sooty molds that interfere with plant photosynthesis, negatively affecting the growth and fruit yield of plants, attracts swarms of insects that hinder outdoor activities, and results in people getting honeydew on their hair, clothes, and other belongings when going outside.

Revolutionary Treatment Approaches

Tree care professionals have had to rapidly develop and implement new protection strategies to combat this invasive threat. Bark spray, trunk injections, or root drenches are used to get systemic insecticides into trees. Since spotted lanternflies rarely cause damage to landscape trees, treatment is not necessary for the health of the tree; but if they become a nuisance, insecticides can be used.

Professional services now offer multiple treatment options:

• Systemic Treatments: A systemic treatment for the spotted lanternfly is a process where we apply a chemical insecticide to the tree. The tree then absorbs the chemical and translocates it to the entire inside of the tree. Much like a person taking a medication, when the tree absorbs the systemic chemical, we are protecting the whole tree from the inside out.
• Basal Trunk Applications: Basal trunk spraying is a powerful and effective means of exterminating spotted lanternflies where allowed by law. Around the beginning of July, after the trees have completed their flowering, technicians apply a specially formulated treatment to the base of trees. The product is then absorbed into the tree and is ingested by the spotted lanternfly when it feeds.
• Integrated Management Programs: An integrated pest management approach is key to successfully keeping the population in check. Currently, the first tool in the Spotted Lanternfly management plan is stopping the spread of the pest.

Monitoring and Prevention Strategies

Early detection has become crucial in the fight against spotted lanternflies. Late fall, after spotted lanternflies are killed by freezing temperatures and before they hatch in May, is a good time to find and destroy spotted lanternfly egg masses. Destruction of spotted lanternfly egg masses can help prevent the spread of spotted lanternfly. With 30 – 50 eggs per egg mass, it’s especially important to inspect anything moving from an area that has an infestation.

Professional tree care companies now incorporate spotted lanternfly monitoring into their regular service protocols. Sticky bands on trees, especially on tree of heaven, act as both a monitoring and a management tool. Sticky bands take advantage of the propensity of this insect, especially the first three instars, to move up and down tree trunks.

The Suffolk County Response

Suffolk County, New York, has become a focal point for innovative tree protection strategies. Local certified arborists like those at Jones Plant Healthcare have adapted their services to address this new threat. Jones Tree and Plant Care, owned and operated by Thomas Jones – New York State Board Certified Arborist, and member of the Long Island Arborist Association, exemplifies how local tree care professionals are rising to meet this challenge.

The company’s approach reflects the industry’s evolution toward more comprehensive plant health care. They implement the best research-supported strategies, yet custom-tailor their approach based on the needs of each individual client and property. They take a total tree and plant care approach to enrich the condition of soil, improve the growth of plantings, and enhance the overall curb appeal of Nassau or Suffolk County property. They are committed to offering treatments that are effective, yet safe for the environment, and affordable.

For property owners dealing with spotted lanternfly infestations, professional Tree Spraying Services in Suffolk County, NY have become essential. These services combine traditional arboricultural expertise with cutting-edge pest management techniques specifically designed to combat invasive species.

Looking Forward

The spotted lanternfly invasion has fundamentally changed tree care practices in New York. To reduce the spread, agencies and states are creating frameworks to prevent human-assisted movement, promote public reporting and early detection, and continuously leverage the latest research and management tools available. The new strategy builds the capacity to combat SLF in areas at high risk of introduction and stresses that SLF management plans be based on the latest risk-assessment modeling data.

As this invasive species continues to establish itself throughout New York, the tree care industry’s proactive response demonstrates how professional expertise and innovative treatment methods can help protect our valuable urban and suburban forests. Property owners who invest in professional tree care services are not just protecting their individual landscapes – they’re contributing to a larger effort to preserve New York’s natural heritage for future generations.

The battle against the spotted lanternfly is far from over, but with continued vigilance, professional expertise, and community cooperation, New York’s trees can continue to thrive despite this persistent threat.