Using hyperspectral data to detect spotted lanternfly infestations

Invasive species have historically disrupted environments by outcompeting, displacing, and extirpating native species, resulting in significant environmental and economic damage. Developing approaches to detect the presence of invasive species, favorable habitats for establishment, and predicting potential spread are crucial for effective management strategies to protect the environment and the economy. Spotted lanternfly (SLF, Lycorma delicatula) is a phloem-feeding planthopper native to China that poses a severe threat to horticultural and forest production in the United States. Current pest management strategies are being explored to contain the spread and damage caused by SLF, however, methods to rapidly detect novel infestations or low-density populations are lacking. Using spectroscopy, we can detect changes in leaf canopies associated with stress events relatively quickly and potentially over large geographic areas. Here, we hypothesize that SLF infestations change the spectral characteristics of tree canopies. To test this hypothesis, we sampled silver maple (Acer saccharinum) and red maple (Acer rubrum) at a common garden in Berks County, Pennsylvania.