A trap design for capturing pecan weevils has been found to be effective in stopping spotted lanternflies
Better than sticky tape, research shows
A trap design for capturing pecan weevils has been found to be effective in stopping spotted lanternflies.
And a Penn State Extension educator has created a tutorial for people to make their own version of what is called a circular tree trap. The traps will work best in spring and early summer.
The trap is different from the sticky tape that has been in use for the last few years.
“Recent research has shown that an entirely different kind of type of trap is also very effective and can dramatically reduce the chances of capturing other creatures,” said Emelie Swackhamer, horticulture extension educator based in Montgomery County. “Currently, you can purchase this type of trap made specifically for spotted lanternfly from one commercial source. Some people have been modifying similar commercially available traps designed for other insects to catch spotted lanternfly. Other people have been making their own spotted lanternfly traps from scratch.”
USDA research published last month in Environmental Entomology says that circle trunk traps caught more third and fourth instar and adult spotted lanternflies than sticky bands.
The traps work by taking advantage of predictable behavior of nymphs after they hatch.
Swackhamer said in her tutorial that the recently hatched nymphs are often blown out of the canopy of the trees where they are feeding. Nymphs then walk to the trunk of trees and climb back up to start feeding again.
The trap can be used on any infested tree, Swackhamer said. Nymphs are often found on Ailanthus altissima, commonly known as tree of heaven. Other trees to consider are walnut and willow.
“Keep in mind that the traps will work best on trees with smooth bark,” she said in her tutorial. “Bark with deep grooves may allow the SLF to crawl underneath the trap. The traps will probably work best to catch nymphs in spring and early summer.
This new style trap is made of plastic-coated insect screening and does not use any sticky material. Essentially, the trap creates a tunnel for the insects to walk into. As they move up a tree they end up in a container where they die.
Pecan weevils also climb the trunks of trees.
The traps can be purchased commercially — search for “circle weevil traps.” But pecan weevils are tiny compared to the spotted lanternfly. So developers had to modify the design to include a larger collection container.
Swackhamer said the collection container can be a re-purposed item such as a clean peanut butter jar or even a sturdy plastic bag.
“A sturdy plastic bag that can be removed and replaced with a fresh one is a good way to go because you do not have to empty a container of rotting, stinky, dead insects,” she wrote in the tutorial. “It also allows you to replace the old, dirty bag with a clean bag that will transmit daylight.”