Horizontal and vertical dispersal capacity and effects of fluorescent marking on Lycorma delicatula nymphs and adults

Abstract

AbstractThe invasive spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula White (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), is a destructive phloem feeder with a broad host range that appears to narrow as they reach the adult stage. Little is known about how this invasive insect disperses among host plants or how far they may move to reach them. Here, we measured vertical climbing and horizontal jumping capacity and evaluated the effect of fluorescent marking powders on mobility and survivorship of L. delicatula nymphs and adults. All nymphal instars climbed significantly longer vertical distances compared with adults, whereas early adults (pre‐oviposition period) jumped longer horizontal distances compared with nymphs or late adults (oviposition period) based on single jump measurements. Marking nymphs and adults with fluorescent powder had no significant effect on vertical or horizontal movement and did not affect the survivorship of nymphs or adults. Our results indicate that L. delicatula nymphs can easily move among host plants, and that marking L. delicatula nymphs and adults with florescent powder serves as an acceptable means to measure their dispersal in the environment.