With a rare double-brood cicada event occurring across the U.S. and hand-sized spiders expected to parachute their way to NYC this summer, we’re at our capacity for creepy crawlers and flying insects. However, will we have to keep an eye out on spotted lanternflies like we have the past two summers? The short answer: yes.
Lanternflies are expected to make their unwanted return to NYC this sweltering summer. However, there is some good news. According to Brian Eshenaur, Senior Extension Associate with NYS Integrated Pest Management at Cornell University, the areas of the city that experience a high populations of lanternflies the past two summers will see a bit of a decline this time around. This pattern has already been observed in other urban areas that previously had higher populations, so it’s expected to repeat in NYC, as reported by Fox 5.
“It doesn’t mean spotted lanternfly will be gone. We’ll still see them, but the numbers may be lower this year and going forward,” said Eshenaur. Eggs that were laid in the fall of last year will begin to hatch between May and June.
The cause of the spotted lanternfly decline is uncertain. “Part of it may be due to stress on its favorite host plant, the Tree of Heaven also there seems to be an increase in predators such as other insects and birds that begin to feed on spotted lanternfly after a couple of years,” suggested Eshenaur.
New Yorkers should approach the nasty insect if spotted with the same protocol as years before. Learn more about how to handle the spotted lanternfly here.