Fort Wayne, Indiana – Spotted lanternflies have established populations throughout Northeast Indiana and are expanding into other parts of the state.
Huntington County has received nearly 250 reports of spotted lanternflies, more than any other county in Indiana. Allen County has received more than 50 reports of lanternfly sightings. Outside of Northeast Indiana, Switzerland County has received the most reports, with over 160 sightings.
Over fifty sightings have been reported in Allen County, including areas near Electric Works, Parkview Field, and New Haven rail yards.
Recently, two new counties in Southeast Indiana (Dearborn and Ripley) and one new Northwest Indiana county (Lake) reported spotted lanternfly populations. A total of 17 counties in Indiana have reported spotted lanternfly sightings.
“As an adult, it rests with its wings folded back in the shape of a tent. “When it jumps and begins to fly, it reveals some underside wings that are red with black and white markings,” Vince Burkle says. Burkle is the assistant director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology.
“The four wings themselves are sort of a tannish color with black and white spots…very interesting and very beautiful looking insect, but it can become a very big problem.”
The insect first appeared in China. The flies were discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014, and it is thought they first arrived in the United States a few years earlier.
Since then, the insects have spread throughout the country, with significant populations in Indiana. Burkle explains that humans frequently contribute to the spread of spotted lanternflies.
“The spotted lanternfly is an excellent hitchhiker. “Rail is one of their primary modes of dispersal, and that’s how we believe it arrived in Fort Wayne,” Burkle explains.
This explains why spotted lanternflies are commonly found near railways and roadsides. Furthermore, the insect prefers to feed and lay eggs on the trees of heaven. This tree is another invasive species that thrives in the poor soil conditions found near railroad tracks and other urban areas.
Spotted lanternflies feed on the sap from heaven’s trees. As it digests the sap, it creates a byproduct that remains on the leaves.
“The sugars that they digest are not completely digested, and some of them are excreted as a liquid known as honeydew. Burkle explains that this honeydew will then coat other plants as well as the tree on which it is feeding. “Sooty mold will grow on the honeydew. Sugars can ferment, attracting insects such as wasps, bees, and flies.
As the sooty mold spreads to other nearby plants, it can cover the entire plant and impair its ability to photosynthesize.
While trees of heaven are less concerning due to their invasive nature, other plants such as grapevines and black walnut trees may serve as spotted lanternfly hosts. Because the insect reproduces quickly, large colonies can overwhelm fruit plants, starving them for nutrients.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has treated over a thousand trees of heaven with insecticides in an effort to reduce the spotted lanternfly population throughout the region. Burkle explains that when lanternflies feed on treated trees, they absorb the insecticide and die. The DNR has also worked to remove egg masses from trees in areas like Huntington.
Burkle says the public can help the D.N.R. by keeping an eye out for spotted lanternflies and reporting any colonies discovered throughout the state.
If you submit a colony report, you must include your city and county, as well as a photo of the flies to distinguish them from potential lookalikes.
You can file a report with the D.N.R.
