Workshop to provide spotted lanternfly updates for grape and wine industry

UNIVERSITY PARK — The spotted lanternfly is an invasive pest that threatens the health and sustainability of vineyards. To help address this issue, Penn State Extension will offer the “Spotted Lanternfly Updates for the Grape and Wine Industry” workshop from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. May 1, at Burch Farms Country Market, 9210 Sidehill Road, North East, Erie County.

This event is designed for vineyard owners and managers, winery owners, winemakers, agricultural stakeholders, and the public.

Over the course of several years, Penn State has brought together a team of dedicated researchers and extension specialists to delve into various aspects of spotted lanternfly biology, population dynamics, feeding hosts, and effects on both natural environments and agricultural systems, particularly vineyards.

In this workshop, presenters will review observations and research findings about spotted lanternfly both outside the vineyard and within commercial vineyard management contexts and its implications for grapevine health and wine quality.

The workshop will cover:

• Basic review of spotted lanternfly biology, life cycle and population dynamics.

• Spotted lanternfly research and observations inside and outside of the vineyard.

• Spotted lanternfly vineyard management scenarios.

• Impacts of spotted lanternfly on the grape and wine industry.

• Review of spotted lanternfly population trends in 2023.

This material is based upon work supported by a grant from the Northeast Extension Risk Management Education Center, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Penn State Extension offers this event free of charge, but space is limited. Preregistration by 11:59 p.m. April 24 is required. Coffee, water and pastries will be available in the morning, with lunch provided. For more information and to register for the workshop, visit the Penn State Extension website.