Human-mediated dispersal drives the spread of the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula)

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Author(s)Ladin, Zachary S.
Author(s)Eggen, Donald A.
Author(s)Trammell, Tara L. E.
Author(s)D’Amico, Vincent
Date Accessioned2023-04-21T18:35:34Z
Date Available2023-04-21T18:35:34Z
Publication Date2023-01-19
Description© The Author(s) 2023. This article was originally published in Scientific Reports. The version of record is available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-25989-3
AbstractThe spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is a novel invasive insect from Asia now established and spreading throughout the United States. This species is of particular concern given its ability to decimate important crops such as grapes, fruit trees, as well as native hardwood trees. Since its initial detection in Berks County, Pennsylvania in 2014, spotted lanternfly infestations have been detected in 130 counties (87 under quarantine) within Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. Compounding this invasion is the associated proliferation and widespread distribution of the spotted lanternfly’s preferred host plant, the tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima). While alternate host plant species have been observed, the tree-of-heaven which thrives in disturbed and human-dominated areas (e.g., along roads and railways) is likely facilitating the population growth rates of spotted lanternfly. We simulated the population and spread dynamics of the spotted lanternfly throughout the mid-Atlantic USA to help determine areas of risk and inform continued monitoring and control efforts. We tested the prediction that spotted lanternfly spread is driven by human-mediated dispersal using agent-based models that incorporated information on its life-history traits, habitat suitability, and movement and natural dispersal behavior. Overwhelmingly, our results suggest that human-mediated dispersal (e.g., cars, trucks, and trains) is driving the observed spread dynamics and distribution of the spotted lanternfly throughout the eastern USA. Our findings should encourage future surveys to focus on human-mediated dispersal of egg masses and adult spotted lanternflies (e.g., attachment to car or transported substrates) to better monitor and control this economically and ecologically important invasive species.
SponsorWe extend our gratitude to B. C. Eshenaur at the New York State Integrated Pest Management and E. Angell, M. Giambalvo, C. Logue, and F. Buccello at New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets, and M. Carey for compiling and sharing of SLF county-level occurrence and annual SLF monitoring survey data with us that were critical to our model optimization and performance evaluation. We also greatly appreciate the thoughtful and insightful review of a draft version of the manuscript by Houping Liu.
CitationLadin, Z.S., Eggen, D.A., Trammell, T.L.E. et al. Human-mediated dispersal drives the spread of the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula). Sci Rep 13, 1098 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-25989-3
ISSN2045-2322
URLhttps://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/32664
Languageen_US
PublisherScientific Reports
Keywordsecological modelling
Keywordsinvasive species
Keywordspopulation dynamics
Keywordslife on land
TitleHuman-mediated dispersal drives the spread of the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula)
TypeArticle
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