Thermal limits of spotted lanternfly early instars and adults

The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, is an invasive phloem-feeding insect that is a significant pest of grapes, nursery stock, and other specialty crops. Its range continues to expand throughout the eastern US and into more midwestern and southern states. All life stages have a propensity to hitchhike on shipped goods, particularly nursery stock. On nursery stock, nymphs may hatch out of undetected overwintering egg masses and adults may hide themselves in foliage, and could establish in new areas if they are able to survive in temperatures where nursery stock is shipped and stored. To date, the thermal limits of these early instars as well as adults is unstudied. This presentation will report findings of experimental studies conducted to determine the thermal limits (temperatures and exposure times) of early instars and adult spotted lanternfly.