Natural insect predators may serve as allies in spotted lanternfly battle
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A study conducted by Penn State entomologists evaluated the effectiveness of various insects in potentially controlling spotted lanternfly populations.
view moreCredit: Penn State
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Insect predators found in the United States could help keep spotted lanternfly populations in check while potentially reducing reliance on chemical control methods, according to a new study conducted by researchers at Penn State.
Led by entomologists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and published in Arthropod-Plant Interactions, the study evaluated the effectiveness of various insects in potentially controlling spotted lanternfly populations. The invasive pest, first detected in the United States in 2014, has spread across at least 18 states, causing significant damage to vineyards, orchards and nursery industries.
The study revealed that spined soldier bugs — a predatory stink bug native to North America known for preying on various agricultural pests — as well as Carolina and Chinese mantises were particularly effective in feeding upon spotted lanternflies. The findings suggest that conserving and promoting these natural predators could provide sustainable and strategic natural control against this destructive pest, the researchers said.
“Our study shows that several native and naturalized predators can consume spotted lanternflies effectively,” said lead researcher and doctoral candidate Anne Johnson, who conducted the study with Kelli Hoover, professor of entomology. “By leveraging natural enemies already in the environment, we hope to develop a sustainable, low-impact approach to managing this invasive species that will complement other control methods.”
Johnson noted that current management efforts rely heavily on insecticides, which pose risks of resistance development and unintended harm to beneficial organisms. Biological control, which relies on natural enemies to regulate pest populations, presents a more sustainable alternative for long-term spotted lanternfly management, she said.
In the spotted lanternfly’s native range of southeastern Asia, several predators, including parasitic wasps, keep the pest in check. However, importing and releasing new species to the U.S. as a control measure requires numerous environmental impact studies — currently underway by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and University researchers — and regulatory approval. Both can take years, Hoover said.
Other predator species, especially those in the U.S., could offer an extra control layer. However, the researchers wondered if the situation might be more complex than it seems.
“The spotted lanternfly’s ability to sequester toxins from its preferred host, the tree of heaven, raises concerns about its vulnerability to predators,” Johnson said. “We hypothesized that the spotted lanternfly might harness the tree’s bitter-tasting chemical compounds as a defense mechanism that could protect them against predation.”
Johnson and Hoover tested 10 generalist predators — spined soldier bugs, praying mantises, wheel bugs, lady beetles and lacewings. In the experiments, predators were placed in enclosures with either 25 lanternfly nymphs or 10 adults for up to one week.
Among the tested predators, the spined soldier bugs and two praying mantis species were the most effective at reducing lanternfly populations in controlled settings, regardless of the lanternflies’ life stage.
Eight-spined soldier bugs, which hunt and attack prey as a group, consistently consumed all lanternflies — regardless of life stage — within three to four days. Additionally, the scientists observed that the predators would consume spotted lanternflies regardless of whether they had fed on tree of heaven or alternative host plants.
“These findings are fascinating because they suggest that natural predators could be incorporated into integrated pest management strategies,” Johnson said. “By conserving and encouraging populations of these beneficial insects, we may be able to reduce the use of chemical controls.”
The study builds on earlier community science initiatives documenting native insects preying on spotted lanternflies. From 2020 to 2022, Johnson invited the public to share photos of birds and insects feeding on spotted lanternflies via Facebook. She received nearly 2,000 reports, giving scientists clues about which predators to evaluate.
While their research is promising, Hoover and Johnson stressed that this is not an end-all solution. They said the next leg of their research will involve field experiments to determine the efficacy of predators against spotted lanternflies in an open system without enclosures.
“While these insects could help keep spotted lanternfly populations in check someday, we recognize that their impact may be limited by consistent presence of sufficient prey and the use of insecticides that can also kill these generalist predators,” Hoover said. “Therefore, they should be considered part of a broader integrated pest management strategy rather than a standalone solution.”
Johnson said additional management options are outlined in Penn State Extension’s Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide, which can be downloaded from the extension website.
Sara Hermann, Tombros Early Career Professor and assistant professor of arthropod ecology and trophic interactions at Penn State, collaborated on the research and co-authored the paper.
A U.S. Department of Agriculture McIntire-Stennis grant, a Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant, the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative, and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture supported this research.
Journal
Arthropod-Plant Interactions
Method of Research
Experimental study
Subject of Research
Animals
Article Title
Predation of spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) by generalist arthropod predators in North America
Article Publication Date
18-Mar-2025
Review: integrated pest management is critical in fight against fall armyworm threat to Asian rice security
A new study published in the journal CABI Reviews highlights the critical role that integrated pest management (IPM) plays in combatting the threat fall armyworm poses to Asian rice security
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The fall armyworm poses a significant threat to Asian rice security
view moreCredit: Philippine Rice Research Institute
A new study published in the journal CABI Reviews highlights the critical role that integrated pest management (IPM) plays in combatting the threat fall armyworm poses to Asian rice security.
Asian rice production accounts for over two-thirds of global rice output but the region is highly vulnerable to the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) which can threaten the food, nutrition and income security of millions of farming households.
The scientists say that rapid reproduction, extensive dispersal capabilities, and remarkable adaptability pose significant risks, with the potential for substantial yield losses comparable to those observed in other crops including maize in Africa.
Concerning host shift of the corn-specialized fall armyworm strain
Dr Lekhnath Kafle, Associate Professor, Department of Tropical Agriculture and International Cooperation, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, and Dr Ravindra Chandra Joshi, Senior Consultant of the Philippine Rice Research Institute, and Associate at CABI South-East Asia, say recent reports highlight a concerning host shift of the corn-specialized fall armyworm strain towards rice cultivation in Asia.
They stress that, beyond direct yield losses, fall armyworm infestations can lead to the excessive use of pesticides, posing serious threats to human health and environmental safety. Effective and sustainable fall armyworm management is crucial for ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability.
Dr Kafle said, “Control strategies encompass a diverse range of approaches, including cultural techniques, biological methods, chemical interventions, and habitat manipulation. The absence of rice varieties resistant to fall armyworm underscores the urgent need for accelerated development through genetic engineering.
“Cultural control practices, such as staggered planting, deep tillage, crop rotation with non-host species, and improved field sanitation, can effectively reduce fall armyworm populations. While promising, methods like trap cropping and push-pull strategies require further field validation in rice systems.
“This review emphasizes the critical role of IPM in combating fall armyworm in Asia, advocating for a balanced approach that prioritises biological control, effective cultural practices, judicious use of insecticides, and sustainable agricultural methods to mitigate fall armyworm damage and ensure long-term rice security for the region.”
Biological control measures utilize natural predators
The scientists say that biological control measures utilize natural predators, such as big-eyed bugs and ground beetles, and parasitoids like Telenomus remus and Campoletis sonorensis.
Additionally, entomopathogenic agents like Metarhizium rileyi, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), and Beauveria bassiana offer environmentally sustainable alternatives to chemical insecticides. While synthetic insecticides remain an essential component of fall armyworm management, the increasing prevalence of pesticide resistance and associated economic losses necessitate a shift towards eco-friendly solutions.
They argue that the growing resistance of fall armyworm to multiple insecticide classes underscores the urgent need for robust resistance management strategies. This is further exemplified, they say, by the pest’s adaptive capacity, prolific reproductive potential, and formidable migratory prowess, which necessitates research into the intricate interactions between the fall armyworm and rice crops.
Dr Joshi said, “Unravelling the complex interplay of host plant resistance, insect behaviour, and population dynamics within rice agroecosystems is paramount for the development of robust and effective management strategies.
“By prioritising research and implementing IPM approaches, the agricultural community can effectively mitigate the devastating effects of fall armyworm on rice yields and safeguard the stability of global food supplies.”
One possible avenue for future research and development, the scientists say is harnessing the power of the microbiome. They say that microbiome manipulation for enhanced biocontrol is promising as it focuses on optimizing the rice plant microbiome to promote bacteria and fungi capable of suppressing fall armyworm populations.
This could involve the introduction of specific beneficial microbes or the stimulation of the growth of native microbial communities.
Another prospect is enhancing biological control agents which are the cornerstone of fall armyworm management. This involves, the scientists say, using existing biological control agents such as parasitoid wasps and entomopathogenic fungi.
Additional information
Main image: The fall armyworm poses a significant threat to Asian rice security (Credit: Philippine Rice Research Institute).
Full paper reference
Lekhnath Kafle and Ravindra Chandra Joshi, ‘Fall armyworm threatens Asian rice security: A review of sustainable management practices,’ CABI Reviews, 19 March (2025). DOI: 10.1079/cabireviews.2025.0017
The paper can be read open access from 12:00hrs UK time 19 March 2025, here: https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabireviews.2025.0017
Journal
CABI Reviews
Method of Research
Literature review
Subject of Research
Not applicable
Article Title
Fall armyworm threatens Asian rice security: A review of sustainable management practices
Article Publication Date
19-Mar-2025
