Spotted Lanternfly Management on Your Property

Tuesday, May 11 at 7:00 – 8:00 pm via Zoom

Presenter:  Brian O’Neil of Weeds, Inc, Aston, PA.

Cost:  FREE

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Since 2014, the invasive Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) has spread widely in southeastern Pennsylvania and threatens native trees, orchards and vineyards. Research is on-going to manage this pest insect and this workshop will focus on practical management techniques for property owners large and small. While SLF attack several species of trees, they are especially attracted to the invasive Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus altissima. Removal of this highly invasive tree will also be covered. Management of these invasives requires a firm understanding of the life cycle of the plant and insect and matching the most effective management techniques for highest efficiency while protecting native plants and insects.

The workshop will cover:

• Life cycle and preferred host plants of Spotted Lanternfly
• Life cycle and removal techniques for Tree of Heaven
• Management techniques for spotted lanternfly in nymph, adult and egg stages
• Methods to ensure protection of native insects and plants

Thanks to a grant from the E. Kneale Dockstader Foundation, Brandywine Red Clay Alliance initiated a Spotted Lanternfly management program with Weeds, Inc. at our 318 acre Myrick Conservation Center in 2020. Our goal is to manage SLF on our property, test the effectiveness of various methods of trapping  and killing nymph stage and adult SLF and eradicating Tree of Heaven from our property. In the summer of 2020 we killed 200 Tree of Heaven, set up 12 bait trees and tested 5 different nymph stage traps.

Our goal is also to share what we’ve learned with landowners to effectively manage this pest in our region. Brian O’Neil of Weeds, Inc. has been specializing in insect and weed control since 1966, and employs a deep knowledge of the biology of the invasive species, chemistry and most effective management techniques on projects large and small. Brian has the unique ability to share practical management techniques while being sensitive to protecting our native flora and fauna at BRC including native pollinators, honey bees and native plants.