Tree infestation - Ask Extension
My red maple tree are infested with Lantern flies. Is there anything I can do to protect them thank you
Knowledgebase
Tree infestation #889238
Asked November 02, 2024, 4:07 PM EDT
My red maple tree are infested with Lantern flies. Is there anything I can do to protect them thank you
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
We are glad that you asked.
People have been alarmed about the arrival of the spotted lanternfly but they needn't be.
We have been aware of their arrival in other parts of the U.S. and have been able to watch what has happened.
There is good news to share: they are not harming our trees or crops other than black walnut seedlings and grapes (which commercial farmers can deal with well).
They are expected to be a nuisance insect for a while but
we know that in areas where they first arrived in large numbers, they are not at high populations now as our birds, insects, mammals etc. have recognized them as food.
Here is our page about them:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/spotted-lanternfly-home-gardens/
We do not recommend any pesticide applications. It is just not necessary and would impact other beneficial non-target organisms. SLF are a sucking insects and at high numbers there can be a sticky 'honeydew' excreted below, upon which a black film called 'sooty mold' can grow. This is not pretty but isn't going to harm your tree in the long run. The film eventually wears away.
Christine
People have been alarmed about the arrival of the spotted lanternfly but they needn't be.
We have been aware of their arrival in other parts of the U.S. and have been able to watch what has happened.
There is good news to share: they are not harming our trees or crops other than black walnut seedlings and grapes (which commercial farmers can deal with well).
They are expected to be a nuisance insect for a while but
we know that in areas where they first arrived in large numbers, they are not at high populations now as our birds, insects, mammals etc. have recognized them as food.
Here is our page about them:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/spotted-lanternfly-home-gardens/
We do not recommend any pesticide applications. It is just not necessary and would impact other beneficial non-target organisms. SLF are a sucking insects and at high numbers there can be a sticky 'honeydew' excreted below, upon which a black film called 'sooty mold' can grow. This is not pretty but isn't going to harm your tree in the long run. The film eventually wears away.
Christine
