Since its initial discovery in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 2014, the invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) has spread to 14 states in the northeastern United States. Spotted lanternflies are univoltine and overwinter as eggs, which are laid in groups of 30-50 with a protective waxy coating. Native parasitoid wasps in the genus Anastatus have demonstrated the ability to parasitize spotted lanternfly egg masses and could be a potential biological control agent against the pest. To investigate the emergence rates of wasps from egg masses, spotted lanternfly egg masses were collected singly or in groups of five by scraping egg masses into containers from January through April 2023. Egg masses were reared in an open-air greenhouse, and the amount of egg masses, individual eggs, spotted lanternflies hatched out, and wasps emerged is recorded per container. Native Anastatus emergence rates provide evidence of a native parasitoid species acting as a natural biological control agent against spotted lanternfly. The emergence rates of both spotted lanternfly and native wasps demonstrate the ability to collect spotted lanternfly egg masses without carving into host trees.
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