Spotted lanternflies are destroying crops across the Eastern U.S. These invasive pests have slashed grape harvests by up to 90% and stunted maple tree growth by half. Since arriving in Pennsylvania in 2014, they’ve spread rapidly — and they’re getting harder to kill.
The good news? Scientists are fighting back with promising new weapons: parasitic wasps, bug-killing fungi and strategic habitat removal. These biological control methods could finally give us the upper hand against this destructive pest.
The spotted lanternfly (SLF) has a beautiful, poetic name, but it’s a highly destructive planthopper. Native to Asia, these insects arrived in Pennsylvania as eggs hidden in commercial shipments. Now the rest of the Eastern Seaboard (and beyond) is under threat if these invaders aren’t stopped.
Spotted lanternflies feed on grapevines, hops, fruit trees and hardwoods like maples and walnuts.
After feeding, they excrete honeydew: a sticky substance that promotes mold growth. This mold blocks sunlight and weakens plants, making them vulnerable to disease.
And the damage doesn’t stop at individual plants. When spotted lanternflies destroy plants, they disrupt entire food chains by eliminating food sources for herbivores and the carnivores that feed on them.
These nuisance pests have proven extremely hard to eliminate. Here’s why:
As a result, the spotted lanternfly keeps reproducing and expanding its domain. But there are some encouraging new ways to fight back. Paired with existing best practices, these methods may finally give us some reliable spotted lanternfly treatments.
Spotted lanternfly research published in 2026 suggests that nature might help solve this nature‑made problem. Biological control methods show great promise. The added benefit? They’re eco-friendly.
Spotted lanternfly treatments with potential include:
There may be no single fix for the problem of spotted lanternflies, and bringing them under control will likely take a mix of methods. Parasites and fungi are large-scale solutions meant for professionals. But ordinary people can join the fight, too, with everyday spotted lanternfly treatments and practices:
People should know what SLFs and their egg masses look like. After camping or visiting areas where they’re common, it’s a good idea to check gear and cars. A quick look for insects or eggs helps ensure they won’t get a free ride to a new home.
Destroy egg masses by removing and soaking them in alcohol or soapy water.
Traps are a passive defense that can help capture tree-climbing nymphs.
These are typically:
Insecticides have a spotty track record but can be helpful in a pinch.
Chemical pesticides may kill bugs, but there’s more than one catch: They don’t always just kill the bad ones, and they’re also harmful to humans and the environment. Chemical control methods can contaminate water, soil and air — even end up in our food. They cause crop yields to shrink and beneficial microbes to die off, too.
But there are safer, more eco-friendly ways to control and kill spotted lanternflies, including homegrown biological controls.
Try these methods:
Interested in tackling invasive species like the spotted lanternfly professionally? The University of Florida, home of the number-one-ranked entomology and nematology program in the world, can help.
Insects like the SLF bring plenty of problems. Entomology opens doors for people who want to:
Find what you’re looking for in UF’s online entomology graduate programs. You’ll discover that insect overpopulation and related issues like climate change offer opportunities to make a crucial difference — and plenty of job opportunities.
Every neighborhood has that one yard: lush lawn, trimmed hedges, wraparound porch. It’s the envy of everyone who drives past, but you know something? Pollinators hate it. Bees, butterflies, birds and other pollinators are essential for biodiversity and pollinating the crops that feed us. But to do their job, they need shelter and reliable food sources. Your yard could…
Spotted lanternflies are destroying crops across the Eastern U.S. These invasive pests have slashed grape harvests by up to 90% and stunted maple tree growth by half. Since arriving in Pennsylvania in 2014, they’ve spread rapidly — and they’re getting harder to kill. The good news? Scientists are fighting back with promising new weapons: parasitic wasps, bug-killing fungi and strategic habitat removal. These biological control methods could…
Grew up in the South? Then you’ve probably been stung by a fire ant. Maybe you accidentally stepped on a mound or learned the hard way not to stand on the grass for too long. However it happened, you walked away with a sting so itchy, you’d swear fate was testing you. Fire ants may…
Ever seen one of these up close? You might not realize it, but this little insect is one of the world’s most successful — and most troublesome — invaders.
If nature had a supervillain the size of a sesame seed, it would look exactly like the Asian tiger mosquito (also known by its Latin name, Aedes albopictus).
You can recognize an Asian tiger mosquito by the single white stripe running down the center of its back and its zebra-striped legs. It’s tiny — typically two to ten millimeters (1/12 to 3/8 of an inch) — but don’t let its size fool you. The Asian tiger mosquito is part of the Culicidae family, which includes many species capable of transmitting dangerous viruses.
The first group of Asian tiger mosquitoes traveled from Japan, Korea, southern China and Southeast Asia into the United States on shipments of used tires and decorative bamboo in the mid-1980s. But this pest didn’t just immigrate. It moved in, unpacked its bags … and went rogue.
Since its arrival, the Asian tiger mosquito has established itself across much of the South, Midwest and parts of California, as well as dozens of countries in Europe, Africa, South America and Oceania.
Here’s a comparison showing their quick spread alongside another well-known vector:
| Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) | Yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) | |
| 2017 | 17 countries | 4 countries |
| 2025 | 30 countries | 5 countries |
Global warming. Long international travel. Harsh winters. Hot summers. No problem if you’re an Asian tiger mosquito … if there’s a teaspoon of water around.
This invasive species is a resilient hitchhiker and can breed in any container that includes standing water. Think flowerpots, gutters, plastic debris, decor and bottle caps. That planter you forgot about? The tiger mosquito didn’t.
While most mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, the Asian tiger mosquito works a full day shift. They thrive in:
This makes suburban, semi-urban and urban environments an ideal habitat for them, and they easily reinvade after they’ve been controlled — even in the winter.
Asian tiger mosquitoes don’t politely coexist. They displace native mosquito species, outcompeting them and becoming the dominant biter in many regions.
The yellow fever mosquito was once dominant in the Mediterranean and southeastern U.S. Now it’s losing ground in areas where Asian tiger mosquitoes have taken over.
Vector-borne diseases cause over 700,000 deaths a year, and the Asian tiger mosquito has built quite a portfolio. This striped pest can spread multiple viruses, causing debilitating diseases for humans, cattle and pets. These include:
Public health teams can monitor mosquito activity, apply gene technology, watch for new cases and remind people to protect themselves. But the tough part is how fast these mosquitoes come back. The minute rain hits and water pools, their eggs hatch and the population surges all over again.
Tiger mosquitoes are hard to control for public health officials because of three key factors:
Managing the Asian tiger mosquito usually requires coordinated community action. Here’s what you can do:
The tiger mosquito can dodge sprays, survive droughts and outsmart the weather, but it can’t outsmart a coordinated community.
Here’s a quick recap of what we’ve learned about the Asian tiger mosquito:
With a little awareness and routine prevention, we can all help keep this deadly troublemaker in check.
The Asian tiger mosquito is more than just a backyard pest. It’s a living case study of invasive species, climate shifts, public health and human behavior on a global scale.
If that mix of biology, ecology and problem-solving sparks something in you, you’re already thinking like a medical entomologist — and this field needs minds exactly like yours.
The University of Florida’s nationally top-ranked, fully online graduate programs in entomology and nematology let you focus on what interests you most:
You’ll explore how vectors move pathogens, how climate and habitats fuel outbreaks and how to design innovative community-level solutions. Find out how insects like the Asian tiger mosquito show up in fields like:
Whether you picture yourself researching, protecting communities or strengthening skills you use in your current role, there’s a flexible path for you at UF — one that fits around work, life and the things you love.
Turn your curiosity into skills, and turn those skills into meaningful change. Explore the program and see where it can take you.
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9599329
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3777778
https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/structural-pest-control/asian-tiger-mosquito.html
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-20436-9
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8621292
https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/terrestrial/invertebrates/asian-tiger-mosquito
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/disease-vectors/facts/mosquito-factsheets/aedes-albopictus
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN792
Ticks are tiny. The problems they cause? Not so much. These tiny arachnids — about the size of an apple seed — spread more vector-borne diseases than almost any other insect. Lyme disease alone is diagnosed and treated in roughly 476,000 Americans each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And recently, emergency room…
A squirming larva that screws itself deeper into living flesh as it feeds? Yeah, a screwworm sound like something a horror writer invented after a very bad camping trip. Unfortunately, they’re real. Even more unfortunately, they’re flies. The New World Screwworm (NWS) is a parasitic fly whose larvae (maggots) can infest wounds and feed on…
Every neighborhood has that one yard: lush lawn, trimmed hedges, wraparound porch. It’s the envy of everyone who drives past, but you know something? Pollinators hate it. Bees, butterflies, birds and other pollinators are essential for biodiversity and pollinating the crops that feed us. But to do their job, they need shelter and reliable food sources. Your yard could…
Grew up in the South? Then you’ve probably been stung by a fire ant. Maybe you accidentally stepped on a mound or learned the hard way not to stand on the grass for too long. However it happened, you walked away with a sting so itchy, you’d swear fate was testing you.
Fire ants may seem like a staple of summer in the South — right along with cookouts and fireworks — but they’re actually an invasive species. Originally from South America, red imported fire ants arrived in the U.S. almost a century ago. Since then, they’ve been taking over our backyards (and assaulting our ankles).
Of the nearly 200 known fire ant species worldwide, most thrive in warm, tropical regions like Central and South America. But in the U.S., one species remains dominant: the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta). These reddish-brown workers measure between .3175 to .6351 centimeters long (1/8 to 1/4 inches) and sport dark, bulbous rears. They’re the invaders behind most Southern backyard fire ant stings.
On the Schmidt sting pain index, the fire ant sting scores a 1 out of 4. That’s relatively mild, according to entomologist Justin Schmidt, who personally tested what it feels like to be stung by venomous insects. He described the fire ant’s sting as “sharp, sudden,” and “mildly alarming.” Still, the sensation is hardly a tickle — especially if you stumble into a colony.
Native to South America, red imported fire ants were unintentionally introduced to the United in the late 1930s. They likely traveled through the port of Mobile, Alabama, in the ballast of cargo ships.
Without natural predators to keep them in check — and armed with aggressive foraging behaviors and rapid reproduction — fire ants spread fast throughout the Southern and Western U.S. Today, they infest over 367 million acres in American states and territories including:
Now and then, fire ants pop up in Kentucky, Missouri and Maryland. They’ve even made it across the pond, spotted in regions as far as Syracuse, Italy. As climates warm, expect fire ants to continue spreading throughout warmer parts of the world.
Since their arrival to the U.S., red imported fire ants have become urban pests and agricultural nightmares. They:
The estimated toll of their economic damage? Around $5 billion.
For those unfortunate enough to step on a mound, a fire ant sting can be more than a nuisance. For some, the sting can trigger life-threatening allergic reactions like anaphylactic shock. This makes it a challenging to estimate this insect’s cost to public health. In total, state agencies have spent about $250 million trying to control fire ants’ spread.
So, what’s being done? Pest managers are throwing everything they can at fire ants, including strategies like:
But here’s the catch: even when pesticides wipe out a colony, fire ants from nearby will often re-colonize the area within a month: faster than native species can recover.
The biggest breakthrough might come from biological control: using the red imported fire ant’s natural predators against them.
Currently, two biological control methods are being tested: the decapitating fly and fire ant disease.
1. Decapitating Flies
Native to South America, decapitating flies evolved alongside fire ants, developing a rather grotesque way to destroy them.
These flies chase fire ants into their colonies, preventing them from feeding. If a decapitating fly manages to catch a fire ant, it will lay its eggs inside the ant’s head. The egg develops, and the head falls off. (Gross, we know.) The adult fly then vacates the headless ant in search of a new target.
2. Fire Ant Disease
This ingenious method involves planting ant larvae infected with fire ant disease (Thelohania solenopsae) in a fire ant colony. The disease spreads from brood to workers to the queen, weakening her ability to reproduce and hampering the spread of new colonies.
Maybe you’re recovering from a nasty fire ant sting, or maybe — just maybe — you’re curious about pest management. If so, this could be your moment.
At the University of Florida, we offer online entomology graduate programs that can help you prepare you for a career tackling invasive species like the red imported fire ant. Check out our specializations in:
With flexible online coursework, you’ll learn to identify, control and mitigate pest threats: skills highly valued in pest management roles.
If you’re ready to turn your curiosity into a career, check out UF’s online entomology programs, and when you’re ready, go ahead and apply.
Sources:
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1150&context=ncfwrustaff
https://www.britannica.com/animal/fire-ant
https://ant-pests.extension.org/geographic-distribution-of-fire-ants/
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-pests-diseases/ifa
https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/fire-ants-in-florida
Ticks are tiny. The problems they cause? Not so much. These tiny arachnids — about the size of an apple seed — spread more vector-borne diseases than almost any other insect. Lyme disease alone is diagnosed and treated in roughly 476,000 Americans each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And recently, emergency room…
A squirming larva that screws itself deeper into living flesh as it feeds? Yeah, a screwworm sound like something a horror writer invented after a very bad camping trip. Unfortunately, they’re real. Even more unfortunately, they’re flies. The New World Screwworm (NWS) is a parasitic fly whose larvae (maggots) can infest wounds and feed on…
They show up uninvited, multiply faster than you’d expect and are remarkably good at avoiding detection until there’s already a problem. (Honestly, how rude.) In some cases, homeowners may not even notice a household pest infestation until it is too late — and by then, the situation is rarely a quick fix. For us to…
When people think of stink bugs, one question usually arises: Do stink bugs really stink? While they don’t go around contaminating every area they cohabitate with, they do emit a notably pungent scent when threatened: a chemical defense mechanism that deters predators.
But it’s not their smell that’s most concerning. The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), or Halyomorpha halys, is an invasive species that’s rapidly spread across 38 states, wreaking havoc on crops and causing significant economic losses.
In this article, we’ll explore the defining traits of the BMSB, examine the environmental and economic impacts of its spread and highlight the current pest management strategies used to control this invasive pest and limit further damage.
Before you can determine whether this species is living in or around your home, it’s important to know how to distinguish it from other insects. Here’s how to spot an adult BMSB:
As with other critters in the world, these insects don’t start their lives as adults. You can spot them during other phases of life as well:
The BMSB, originally from East Asia, arrived in North America in 1996, likely via shipping containers. First spotted in Pennsylvania, it spread rapidly across the U.S. While BMSBs can fly, they rely on human transport to cover long distances, “hitchhiking” on vehicles and shipments, often settling in warmer climates where they can thrive.
The main reason brown marmorated stink bugs have thrived in North America is due to their voracious appetites — and the U.S. offers plenty of their preferred foods. So, what do stink bugs eat?
They enjoy dining on several juicy field crops, including:
While BMSBs have excellent taste in produce, their appetite for fruits and vegetables has caused economic losses in some areas, especially in the mid-Atlantic region, including states like Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. In 2010, a BMSB outbreak caused over $37 million in losses to fruit producers in this area.
These significant economic losses highlight the destructive potential of the BMSB. After consuming fruits and vegetables, they cause physical damage to produce, leading to mealy textures and discoloration that make the affected crops unsuitable for fresh markets and sometimes even for processing. Additionally, when they feed on plant leaves, they create openings for pathogens, leaving crops vulnerable to disease. These direct and indirect damages make BMSBs a significant agricultural and ecological concern in the regions they invade.
The brown marmorated stink bug, invasive species that it is, requires carefully planned pest management strategies to significantly reduce its numbers. Unfortunately, the number of effective pesticides is limited for this species, but that hasn’t stopped agricultural scientists and pest management experts from exploring alternative methods.
In 2021, researchers from the Agricultural Research Service investigated the Trissolcus japonicus, or samurai wasp, for biological control. While the tiny wasp parasitizes stink bug eggs and can reduce populations, ecological limitations prevent it from being a fully compatible, standalone control solution.
However, if you live in a BMSB hot spot, there are measures you can take to keep these invasive pests out of your home:
Understanding and managing invasive species like the brown marmorated stink bug requires expertise in pest control and ecological balance. While DIY strategies can help minimize indoor encounters, effective long-term solutions rely on continued scientific research and advanced pest management strategies.
That’s where the University of Florida comes in. As the number one nematology and entomology program in the world, our online master’s degree and graduate certificate programs provide the skills needed to address these environmental challenges. Whether you’re interested in one of our pest management programs or another specialization, you can earn a graduate certificate or master’s degree (or both) in as little as one year.
Explore our programs to determine which one aligns with your career aspirations, and when you’re ready, fill out an application to begin the next chapter in your professional journey.
Sources:
https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/brown-marmorated-stink-bug
https://www.stopbmsb.org/stink-bug-basics/life-stages/
https://onlineentomology.ifas.ufl.edu/how-invasive-insects-travel-by-hitchhiking/\
https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/bean/brown_marmorated_stink_bug.htm
https://www.cabi.org/news-article/samurai-wasp-has-minimal-impact-on-native-stink-bugs-new-cabi-led-study-confirms/
Some people believe that spotting a praying mantis can sprinkle a little good luck into their lives. Others, however, might see those head-spinning, exorcist-like abilities (they can turn their heads a full 180 degrees!) as a reason to steer clear.
Regardless of your beliefs about these long-legged wonders, there’s no denying that praying mantises are incredibly beneficial to the environment. So, if you happen to cross paths with one, why not tip your hat to the little guy before continuing on your way?
Still on the fence? We’re here to unveil all the fantastic ways praying mantises contribute to our world.
When you look into the large compound eyes of a praying mantis, you might feel as if it’s peering deep into your soul. Its triangular head, spindly front legs and long body only enhance its unique, otherworldly aesthetic. But rest assured — a praying mantis is, in fact, an insect.
Just like bees, butterflies and ants, praying mantises have a segmented body divided into the head, thorax and abdomen. With four legs positioned at the abdomen and two arm-like forelegs closer to their heads, these five-inch creatures are both fascinating and functional.
Known scientifically as Mantis religiosa, this species of praying mantid hails from Europe, parts of Asia and Africa. It made its way to North America over a hundred years ago.
Praying mantises prefer warm habitats full of grass, shrubs and other forms of greenery. These lush environments offer the perfect buffet for their carnivorous appetites — other insects, spiders, frogs, lizards and even the occasional hummingbird.
While praying mantises are not native to North America and are considered invasive, they’ve managed to become valuable contributors to their adopted home, offering a range of benefits to ecosystems and humans alike. Let’s explore some of the beneficial ways praying mantises impact the world around us.
If you were to step into your backyard right now, you’d likely spot a handful of pests that you’d rather not share your space with — mosquitoes and cockroaches included. But pesticides often contain harmful substances that can contribute to pollution, reduce biodiversity and negatively impact the health of people and animals.
Fortunately, praying mantises are nature’s pest control experts, and they’re more than happy to help you manage these unwanted guests. If you have a garden or are looking for a way to rid crops of unwanted pests, consider using praying mantises as a natural form of pest control. As carnivorous predators, mantises feast on a wide variety of insects, making them an ally in keeping your yard bug-free.
In addition to mosquitoes and cockroaches, mantises also target other notable pests that can wreak havoc on plants and gardens, like:
A juvenile mantis’ appetite for aphids is a major advantage, as these tiny sap-sucking insects can quickly decimate crops and ornamental plants. Grasshoppers and caterpillars, notorious for chewing through leaves and damaging greenery, are no match for a hungry adult mantis either.
While praying mantises are fierce predators, they’re far from invincible. In fact, they play a critical role in the food chain, serving as both hunter and hunted. Their ability to control pest populations makes them valuable contributors to the ecosystem.
But mantises, too, find themselves on the menu for larger animals. Birds, frogs, bats and even some larger spiders see these stealthy insects as a worthwhile meal.
This dynamic keeps the ecosystem in balance, ensuring that mantises don’t overrun their habitats while providing a vital food source for their predators. So, while mantises may seem like the apex predators of the insect world, they’re just one piece of the intricate web that keeps nature balanced.
Praying mantises have captured our attention for centuries, inspiring everything from folklore to scientific study. Below are some common questions people ask about mantises:
To create a welcoming environment for praying mantises in your garden, try these tips:
Praying mantises are just one of many misunderstood yet beneficial insect species. If their world (or the larger world of insects) has piqued your interest, consider a career in entomology. The University of Florida offers four distinct specializations:
Earn a fully online graduate certificate or graduate degree with a specialization in the area of your choosing. Our programs offer year-round start dates, so you can begin your journey whenever you’re ready. Plus, you’ll be studying with the best: Our program is ranked #1 in the world for entomology and nematology.
Check out our extensive program offerings, and choose the program that matches your professional goals.
Sources:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/praying-mantis
https://biologydictionary.net/praying-mantis/
https://fortheland.org/praying-mantis/
https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/ghopper/intro3.pdf
https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/newsroom/editorial/pesticides-what-are-the-risks
Every neighborhood has that one yard: lush lawn, trimmed hedges, wraparound porch. It’s the envy of everyone who drives past, but you know something? Pollinators hate it. Bees, butterflies, birds and other pollinators are essential for biodiversity and pollinating the crops that feed us. But to do their job, they need shelter and reliable food sources. Your yard could…
Spotted lanternflies are destroying crops across the Eastern U.S. These invasive pests have slashed grape harvests by up to 90% and stunted maple tree growth by half. Since arriving in Pennsylvania in 2014, they’ve spread rapidly — and they’re getting harder to kill. The good news? Scientists are fighting back with promising new weapons: parasitic wasps, bug-killing fungi and strategic habitat removal. These biological control methods could…
Grew up in the South? Then you’ve probably been stung by a fire ant. Maybe you accidentally stepped on a mound or learned the hard way not to stand on the grass for too long. However it happened, you walked away with a sting so itchy, you’d swear fate was testing you. Fire ants may…
Upon first glance, the spotted lanternfly might appear to be a virtuous little moth. With a black and yellow body tucked gracefully inside a pair of radiant red, black and brown wings, they’re a speckled sight to behold. But if you research these colorful insects, you’ll quickly discover that they’re not nearly as innocent as they appear.
This unsuspecting pest is one of more than 450 known invasive insect species in the United States. Invasive species are insects that aren’t native to a country and cause harm to the environment or human health. Once they arrive on foreign soil, they settle in at the expense of local ecosystems and can be difficult to remove without also harming beneficial insects.
Today, we’re taking an in-depth look at the spotted lanternfly and exploring ways to reduce the number of this invasive species in our environment.
Spotted lanternflies, or Lycorma delicatula, are classified as planthoppers due to their ability to easily hop from one place to another. They typically grow to about one inch in length and half an inch in width. With their wings folded, they resemble a lantern shape, giving them their informal moniker.
In the fall, adult spotted lanternflies lay their eggs, which hatch as nymphs the following spring. It takes several months for these nymphs to mature into adults, and then the cycle repeats. Upon hatching, nymphs immediately seek out a food source. They prefer the Ailanthus tree but are also known to feed on more than 70 species of maple trees, oak trees, apple trees and grapevines.
You may be familiar with the spotted lanternfly’s outer appearance, but do you know its origin story and how it spread to other countries? This invasive species hails from Southeastern Asia, where it naturally thrives in the warm, humid climates of countries like China, Taiwan and Vietnam.
They have also established themselves in countries with mild climates, such as Japan and South Korea. However, their appearance in the cooler region of the northeastern United States, specifically Pennsylvania in 2014, came as a surprise.
The spotted lanternfly likely arrived in the U.S. through international trade, hitching rides on imported goods such as stone or wood shipments. Since its introduction, the spotted lanternfly has spread to 14 other states, often carried unknowingly on infested wood and pallets.
As spotted lanternflies feed, they use their sharp mouthparts to retrieve the sap under the tree’s bark. This feeding alone can cause damage, but the lanternflies don’t stop there. After feeding, they excrete honeydew, a sugary substance that attracts other insects.
The result is the growth of sooty mold, a fungus that makes the tree more vulnerable to other diseases and stops its growth, often killing it. The infection and death of these trees disrupts the habitats of native species that rely on them for shelter and food, including birds and mammals like bats and squirrels.
From an economic perspective, a 2019 study from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture estimated that spotted lanternflies could cost the state $324 million annually and remove the need for approximately 2,800 jobs.
Whether you’re a pest control professional or a concerned resident in an area affected by the invasive spotted lanternfly, there are effective tactics to prevent its spread:
When it comes to combating the spread of the spotted lanternfly and other invasive species, professionals in pest management have access to a range of advanced strategies. If you’re familiar with the challenges posed by these pests and are looking to enhance your role in pest management, the University of Florida offers online graduate credentials with specializations tailored to your needs, including:
Each specialization offers two pathways:
Applications are accepted year-round, so start your application today to begin advancing your career next semester!
Sources:
https://www.fws.gov/story/stopping-spotted-lanternfly-its-tracks
https://research.fs.usda.gov/forestplanthealth/invasives
https://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/invasive-species/meet-the-species/invasive-insects/spotted-lanternfly/
https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/PlantIndustry/Entomology/spotted_lanternfly/quarantine/Documents/SLF_Checklist_for_Residents.pdf
https://www.montgomerynj.gov/bc-stc/page/ways-fight-spotted-lanternfly
The hemlock woolly adelgid has a particular palate, feeding exclusively on hemlock trees. First discovered in Virginia, this invasive species has spread throughout the forests of the Appalachian Mountains, where it poses a serious threat to forest ecosystems. Invasive species experts have attempted to prevent the spread of these aphid-like insects, but management tactics, including chemical control, have yet to suppress hemlock woolly adelgid populations.
Hope is not yet lost for the hemlock forests of the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, however. Every day brings entomologists closer to developing more effective integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, and the efforts of individuals can go a long way toward preventing these insects from inadvertently being introduced into new areas.
Let’s take a closer look at the hemlock woolly adelgid and its destructive appetite.
The hemlock woolly adelgid was first spotted in the Pacific Northwest in 1922, but this is believed to be a case of mistaken identity. The first confirmed sighting in North America was in Richmond, Virginia, in 1951. Native to Japan, the adelgid is believed to have been introduced via infested ornamental Japanese hemlocks. These insects can now be found in over 20 states and Nova Scotia. Without natural predators or hosts with natural resistances, adelgids are free to feed on eastern and Carolina hemlocks.
Hemlock trees play a vital role in their ecosystem. From a black bear making its den in a tree hollow to a speckled trout swimming in waters cooled by tree shade, all types of animals and plants rely on the habitat provided by hemlock forests. Found on steep slopes, hemlock trees even prevent erosion by stabilizing shallow soil. Losing hemlock trees could mean losing unique plants and wildlife, which is what makes adelgid infestations so concerning.
Hemlock woolly adelgids feed by inserting their piercing mouth parts, known as a proboscis, into plant tissues and extracting stored nutrients. Affected hemlock trees shed their needles and lose buds and branch tips necessary for regeneration. Eastern hemlocks are particularly vulnerable to infestation, having fewer defenses against piercing-sucking insects. An herbivore-induced hypersensitive response also results in needles with higher levels of H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide), resulting in tissue death at the feeding site. Infested hemlock trees die within as few as four years, and as many as 80% of hemlocks in the Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains have died due to infestation.
Two generations of adelgids emerge during the year: the winter generation and the spring generation. In early summer, winter adelgids hatch only to enter summer dormancy at the bases of hemlock needles. They spend the rest of their lives at this feeding site. Dormancy ends come winter, and winter adelgids progress through four stages of life as wingless nymphs. During this time, they produce a waxy, woolly mass above their bodies, where they will lay their eggs through early spring.
The lifecycle of the spring generation is only three months long and comes to a rather abrupt end. Hatching in early spring, a proportion of adults known as sexuparae develop wings and fly in search of tigertail spruce trees to deposit their eggs. There’s just one problem: There are no tigertail spruce trees native to their area. Having reached a reproductive dead end, the winged adults die, and it’s the non-winged adults that lay the eggs that will become the winter generation.
Hemlock woolly adelgids are miniscule, measuring less than two millimeters. The woolly mass they produce is easy enough to spot, however. Each mass resembles the head of a cotton swab, and an infested tree will have a number on the underside of its branches throughout fall and spring.
Once detected, there a number of potential methods for managing these invasive insects:
The keen eyes of entomology enthusiasts can help slow the spread of hemlock woolly adelgids. If you’re in a state actively monitoring for adelgids and you spot them in a city where they’ve yet to be identified, you can document their appearance and report it to your local government. However, there is a way to take a more active role in managing this invasive insect.
The University of Florida offers an online entomology master’s degree and graduate certificate, each with four specialization options. Our online courses instill the principles and practices of IPM, helping working professionals like yourself become entomologists, ecologists, biologists, IPM managers, and more. Explore our program and course offerings to find the graduate credential that’s ideal for your career.
The hemlock woolly adelgid is one of many invasive insects. Apply to one of our online entomology programs to protect the delicate balance of our natural habitats.
Sources:
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/TREES/hemlock_woolly_adelgid.html
https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7250.html
https://inspection.canada.ca/plant-health/plant-pests-invasive-species/insects/hemlock-woolly-adelgid/fact-sheet/eng/1325616708296/1325618964954
https://research.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/19331
https://www.fs.fed.us/forestmanagement/vegetation-management/silviculture/index.shtml
Every neighborhood has that one yard: lush lawn, trimmed hedges, wraparound porch. It’s the envy of everyone who drives past, but you know something? Pollinators hate it. Bees, butterflies, birds and other pollinators are essential for biodiversity and pollinating the crops that feed us. But to do their job, they need shelter and reliable food sources. Your yard could…
Spotted lanternflies are destroying crops across the Eastern U.S. These invasive pests have slashed grape harvests by up to 90% and stunted maple tree growth by half. Since arriving in Pennsylvania in 2014, they’ve spread rapidly — and they’re getting harder to kill. The good news? Scientists are fighting back with promising new weapons: parasitic wasps, bug-killing fungi and strategic habitat removal. These biological control methods could…
Grew up in the South? Then you’ve probably been stung by a fire ant. Maybe you accidentally stepped on a mound or learned the hard way not to stand on the grass for too long. However it happened, you walked away with a sting so itchy, you’d swear fate was testing you. Fire ants may…
Florida is synonymous with oranges. It’s the proud home of Orange County, boasts 569,000 acres of orange groves and offers tourists a special treat with its Florida Citrus Center gas stations filled to the brim with mounds of oranges beckoning you to take a five-pound bag home.
Floridians have every reason to be proud of their knowledge of every kind of orange and grapefruit on the market, but Florida’s citrus industry isn’t what it used to be. During the 1999 to 2000 season, industry output amounted to a whopping $9.13 billion. In the years since, those earnings have dropped significantly, with the industry output totaling only $6.935 billion in the 2020 to 2021 season. So what’s the cause for such a drastic reduction in earnings?
Florida’s wonky weather patterns (a.k.a. hurricanes) have played a small part in the disruption of citrus production, but the real culprit is much smaller — and much more lethal. Its name is the Asian citrus psyllid, and it’s caused complete mayhem in the citrus industry.
Oranges are such a Floridian staple that it’s hard to believe citrus isn’t native to the United States. Oranges, grapefruit, lemons and other citrus fruits originated in Asia. They eventually spread westward, and while the first attempts at cultivation failed in the U.S., Florida became prime real estate for the citrus industry in the 1870s.
Eventually, scientists created a special blend of orange juice called frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) to ensure that soldiers received adequate amounts of vitamin C while fighting on the frontlines during World War II. Citrus production increased from 43 million boxes in 1945 to 72 million in 1952, largely due to an increase in demand for FCOJ.
In the 1980s, a series of below-freezing temperatures took a toll on the overall production of citrus. Because of this, many citrus growers began migrating from central and northern regions of Florida to more southern areas that were less likely to freeze. Most growers were able to make a quick comeback and provided large amounts of citrus for processing plants and packing houses. It wasn’t until 2005 that the Asian citrus psyllid invaded thousands of acres of citrus groves, bringing a debilitating, tree-killing disease with it.
Like citrus, the Asian citrus psyllid originated from Asia. While scientists don’t know exactly how they found their way to the U.S., some believe that someone brought smuggled tree clippings from Asia to Florida in 2005. Asian citrus psyllids are only three to four millimeters in length, but don’t let their scant size fool you. While their appetite for citrus leaves is voracious, that’s not what’s causing the death of so many Florida citrus trees. Rather, it’s the bacteria, Candidatus Liberibacter asciaticus (CLas), that many of these insects carry. The bacteria CLas causes huanglongbing (HLB), a citrus disease that some scientists have compared to HIV in its severity.
Since Asian citrus psyllids began their reign of terror on citrus trees throughout Florida in 2005, 90% of the state’s orange groves now suffer from HLB, which negatively impacts the citrus industry by:
This disruption of citrus production has caused a major decline in the industry, with statistics that include:
These invasive pests reproduce so quickly that even insecticides haven’t slowed them down as quickly as farmers had hoped. In addition, Asian citrus psyllids thrive in Florida’s warm weather, so it’s unlikely that they plan on going anywhere anytime soon. And while there’s no cure for trees with HLB, early detection and removal of infected trees is key to preventing its spread.
The University of Florida is doing its part in the fight against HLB and Asian citrus psyllids. The USDA has recently granted the UF/IFAS faculty from the Citrus Research and Education Center over $16 million to complete a series of research projects that aim to combat the deadly citrus greening disease.
With a Graduate Certificate in Landscape Pest Management, you can take your own stand against HLB. Our 15-credit program is entirely online and prepares you for a career in pest control, pest management, entomology and more.
In addition to required courses like Turf and Ornamental Entomology and Insect Classification, you can choose from exciting electives relevant to your chosen career path, including:
Take your curiosity and passion for insects and nematodes to the next level by learning more about our program today.
Sources:
https://www.visitflorida.com/travel-ideas/articles/eat-drink-facts-about-florida-citrus-oranges/
https://fred.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/economic-impact-analysis/er01-2-citrus.pdf
https://www.floridamemory.com/learn/exhibits/photo_exhibits/citrus/citrus3.php
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2019/11/09/end-florida-orange-juice-lethal-disease-is-decimating-its-citrus-industry/
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/citrus/pests_diseases/acp/PestProfile.html
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2022/11/09/university-of-florida-ifas-awarded-over-16-million-in-research-grants-to-fight-citrus-disease/
Whether you’re on embarking on a cross-country road trip or crossing state lines for a professional development workshop, you probably haven’t considered checking your vehicle for unwanted guests of the pint-sized, winged variety before crossing state borders. Invasive insects are nothing if not persistent — and sometimes they take creative liberties to get from one place to the next.
While they may not stick out a thumb and ask for a ride, invasive insects do have other methods of transporting themselves from place to place. In this article, we discuss three invasive insects that have hitchhiked their way across the globe and are leaving environmental chaos in their wake.
The Lycorma delicatula, better known as the spotted lanternfly, is a beautiful sight to behold. They may only be one inch in length, but when they open their wings, they reveal a rainbow of color that rivals a fireworks show. Spotted lanternflies boast a colorful yellow and black abdomen and bright red hind wings and cream-colored front wings both adorned with dalmatian-esque spots.
But behind their elegant exterior lies a very invasive species that has perfected its hitchhiking abilities. While the spotted lanternfly originated in China, it found its way to Pennsylvania in 2014, hitchhiking to 11 other states in the years since. So how did this planthopper find its way so far from home? Camouflaging egg-laying abilities.
Spotted lanternflies lay their eggs in clusters that often appear as a smear of mud and are easily dismissible to most. These adept egg-laying skills have made it challenging for even the most trained eye to spot their eggs on a variety of transportation methods, like railroad boxcars and passenger vehicles.
There are multiple implications of this invasive insect making itself at home in states across the U.S., including:
What’s half an inch long, has a metallic green shell and has destroyed over 20 million ash trees in the Midwest? They’re called emerald ash borers, and while their shiny exterior shells might make them appear harmless, the millions of trees they’ve burrowed through — and killed — would beg to differ.
Originating in Asia, emerald ash borers were first spotted in southeastern Michigan in 2002 but probably arrived years earlier. While entomologists don’t know precisely how they found their way to the U.S., they’ve deduced that their hitchhiking method of choice likely involved stowing themselves away in wooden shipment crates or other wooden materials shipped from Asia. Now that this invasive species has arrived, they conveniently catch rides to new locations by burrowing beneath the surface of ash trees that are being transported for the purpose of making firewood or lumber.
The larvae of emerald ash borers feed under the bark of the ash trees and make curved tunnels that alter the flow of water and nutrients throughout the tree. If enough larvae reside in one tree, they can kill it within one to three years.
While it’s unlikely that we’ll be able to completely eradicate the emerald ash borer, there are steps we can take to slow their hitchhiking methods, including:
Formerly known as gypsy moths, spongy moths found their way to Massachusetts in 1869 via an amateur entomologist. Since their introduction to the U.S., they’ve decimated millions of acres of trees in forests across approximately 20 states.
Their expansion in areas beyond Massachusetts has been fueled by their ability to lay 600 to 1,000 eggs at once, in places like the sides of houses and the undersides of bark flaps. When spongy moths lay their eggs on wooden materials that are being transported, the larvae from those batches of eggs wind up in entirely new locations.
Spongy moths cause the most damage during the larvae stage of their life cycle, eating the foliage from over 300 unsuspecting species of trees, including oak, maple, birch and more. With enough defoliation, the trees can die, causing ecological impacts, including:
At the University of Florida, we boast the number-one entomology and nematology program in the world. We offer five 30-credit online master’s degree programs and four 15-credit online graduate certificate programs tailored to your specialized interests and professional goals, including:
For the master’s degree program, you can also select the broad program of study in entomology.
Our courses are tailored for working professionals. We provide 100% of our classes entirely online so you can complete them anywhere at a pace that works for you. Take the first step and learn more about our graduate certificate programs or our master’s degree in entomology today.
Sources:
https://www.michigan.gov/invasives/id-report/insects/spotted-lanternfly
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/pests-diseases/hungry-pests/the-threat/spotted-lanternfly/spotted-lanternfly
https://www.treehugger.com/invasive-spotted-lanternflies-hitchhiking-in-us-6502089#citation-1
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/pests-diseases/hungry-pests/the-threat/emerald-ash-borer/emerald-ash-borer-beetle
https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/2022-03/W00004%20HitchhikingBugs8Pager.pdf
Spiders get around in more ways than you might expect. Beyond the familiar scuttle of eight legs, they’ve developed some genuinely strange tricks: riding wind currents through the air, cartwheeling down sand dunes and even building underwater air pockets to live in.
In this article, we explore:
Spider ballooning is a form of aerial travel in which spiders release strands of silk that catch air currents and lift them into the sky. While wind plays a role, researchers have discovered that Earth’s electric fields also help spiders become airborne.
We know what you’re thinking — how do spiders use electric fields to travel? Some arachnids use sensory hairs called trichobothria to detect changes in atmospheric electricity. When conditions are right, they raise their abdomens, release silk and allow electrostatic forces to help lift them off the ground.
It may sound like something out of a superhero comic (“Spider-Man” fans, unite!), but ballooning has been observed for centuries. In 1832, naturalist Charles Darwin recorded thousands of spiders landing aboard the HMS Beagle while it was more than 60 miles offshore.
In addition to ballooning from one place to the next, some species of spinners boast another unique manner of transportation: cartwheeling. While rolling from place to place may not be a conventional method of moving, it’s certainly useful when trying to evade predators.
Two particular species of somersaulting spiders include:
The golden rolling spider resides in the sandy deserts of Namibia. When provoked by predators like spider-hunting wasps, it uses its unique cartwheeling talents (known as flic-flac jumps) to propel itself down the sandy dunes. These flic-flacking rolls are a convenient and quick means of escape, as a golden rolling spider can travel up to one and a half meters per second as it rolls down a dune.
The flic-flac spider also lives in sandy regions, specifically in the southern sand-filled deserts of Morocco. Recently discovered by spider expert Dr. Peter Jäger, the flic-flac spider (Cebrennus rechenbergi) is known for its gymnast-like agility as it jumps and rolls to expedite its travel time.
Unlike its cartwheeling cousin, the flic-flac spider uses extreme flexibility to propel itself off the ground. It takes advantage of its flic-flacking skills to travel downhill, uphill, or on flat ground at two meters per second.
While you may have spent a small chunk of your childhood boasting your ability to hold your breath for over a minute in the pool, can you imagine what it would be like living your entire life underwater?
Enter the Argyroneta aquatica, more commonly known by its informal name, the diving bell spider. Like humans, this species needs oxygen to breathe — so how is it possible that they can spend up to 24 hours underwater at a time?
Diving bell spiders use their multipurpose silks to create tiny silk-made air tanks (diving bells) that attach to pond weeds or the sides of aquariums. After creating their homemade oxygen chambers, they return to the water’s surface, grab an air bubble, attach it to the bottom of their hairy abdomens, and swim to their diving bell, where they deposit the bubble.
With such an efficient method of living and breathing underwater, diving bell spiders can enjoy an entirely sub-aquatic existence that includes swimming, eating and breeding.
Whether you’re interested in diving deeper into the inner workings of spiders or looking for a broader education in insects and other arthropods, the University of Florida offers a wide variety of entirely online programs. Each program is built to expand your knowledge of entomology and point you on a path to help build your career in a variety of fields, including:
With our 30-credit master’s degree in entomology and nematology and our 15-credit graduate certificate each boasting four specialization options, there are numerous ways to take your career to the next level — all from the comfort of your own home.
If you’re interested in learning more about spiders and other arthropods, apply to one of our online entomology and nematology programs today.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3689776
https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(18)30693-6?_returnURL
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/spiders-fly-on-the-currents-of-earths-electric-field
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/07/the-electric-flight-of-spiders/564437
http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/arachnids/spiders/sparassidae/carparachne_aureoflava.htm
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140428074422.htm
https://www.science.org/content/article/underwater-spider-spins-itself-aqualung
Agriculture has a workforce most people never see (and no, it’s not just agronomists or agricultural engineers). It’s insects. Quietly and consistently — without paychecks or benefits — insects pollinate crops, control pest populations and help food systems function. Understanding their role goes beyond appreciation. It’s a reminder that biodiversity in agriculture depends on more than what we plant in the field. …
Insects can’t be trained — at least not in the way you’re thinking of. No pats on the head for fetching a tiny ball or flying to a certain spot on command. But research on hoverflies is challenging what entomologists thought they knew about insect learning. These small, bee-mimicking insects are helping researchers understand how visual information shapes decision-making…
Disaster preparedness planning usually focuses on evacuation routes, emergency supply kits and shelter plans. Insects rarely make the list. But after a hurricane or flood, insect populations aren’t waiting for communities to catch up. Mosquito numbers spike. New breeding sites appear overnight. Disease risks increase. That’s why entomology plays a crucial role in emergency management planning. By monitoring insect populations and identifying potential disease…
