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MONITORING THE DISPERSAL OF SPOTTED LANTERNFLIES (LYCORMA DELICATULA) IN NORTH GEORGIA, USA USING FUNNEL TRAPS ON AILANTHUS ALTISSIMA AT DIFFERENT DISTANCES FROM RAILYARDS

Abstract

Spotted lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula) are an exotic invasive planthopper native to China. They were first detected in the United States, Pennsylvania, in 2014 and rapidly spread across multiple states in the Eastern US. The Georgia Department of Agriculture confirmed sightings in Fulton County, Georgia, in fall 2024. Spotted lanternflies (SLF) have caused significant ecological and economic impacts, mainly in agriculture and forestry sectors, including damage to grapevines, fruit trees, and hardwoods. The Georgia Department of Agriculture has prioritized determining where SLF populations are located and how they are spreading. Historically, SLF have been found using Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus altissima, their native host tree species. Additionally, as hitchhiker pests, they are often found near railway stations and other high traffic areas. Our study aimed to monitor SLF dispersal and assess host tree species use in three North Georgia counties near Fulton County at varying distances from railyards. We hypothesized that more SLF would be captured in traps placed on Ailanthus altissima than on other tree species. We also hypothesized that more SLF would be captured in traps closer to railroad tracks than those farther away. We placed funnel traps on two trees (one Ailanthus altissima tree and one of another species) at each of our six study sites located within the three counties we monitored. We completed visual surveys and checked traps biweekly from 7 July to 4 December 2025 to detect presence and potential dispersal patterns. We did not observe any SLF during this period, suggesting SLF dispersal or new immigrants did not reach our sites, or, that our monitoring did not capture SLF movements. Our results contribute valuable baseline data for Georgia’s early detection efforts and continued refinement of monitoring strategies to detect exotic invasive spotted lanternflies.

Acknowledgements

UNG Dept. of Biology

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