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By Miriam RafteryJune 17, 2024 (Sacramento) – The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) is bringing attention to the discovery of 41 Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) egg masses on a shipment of artwork from New York and destined for Sonoma County.
“The invasive pest has the potential to affect the entire winegrape industry,” a press release from CAWG states.
The egg masses were intercepted at the Truckee Border Protection Station in late March, the first-ever finding of SLF egg masses in California. If other SLF egg masses have arrived in California undetected, they may produce adults in the coming weeks, with peak populations expected in late summer or early fall.
“This is essentially a public service announcement to raise awareness of how to identify a spotted lanternfly and the immediate action to take if discovered,” said Natalie Collins, President of the California Association of Winegrape Growers. “Spotted lanternflies have been found in 18 states and have proven to pose a serious threat to vineyards. These invasive insects feed on the sap of grapevines, while also leaving behind a sticky honeydew residue on the clusters and leaves. Their activities stress the plants, decrease vine health, and in some cases, can lead to plant death.”
Adult SLFs are typically visible from July through November and have the ability to fly, although not very far. The one-inch-long adults look quite different at rest than they do while flying. At rest, with their wings folded, they are a dull tan-gray color with black spots. During flight, the adult’s open wings reveal a bright red, black, and white pattern.
The SLF is an invasive planthopper native to Asia, first discovered in southeastern Pennsylvania in 2014, and has quickly spread to neighboring states. SLFs are described as “hitchhikers” as the egg masses can look like cakes of mud and are transported on trailers, RVs, semi-trucks, containers, trains, and other forms of shipping and transportation. Egg masses hatch in May/June and the adult SLFs are visible soon thereafter.
CAWG praised strategic planning undertaken by UDSA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) in implementing preventative measures aimed at mitigating the spread of SLF, as well as CDFA’s inspection station teams for diligent efforts inspecting loads entering the state, and the Pierce’s Disease Control Program for their research and mitigation of invasive pests, including the SLF.
Resources:
If a SLF is found in California, reporting is easy at (800) 491-1899 or www.CDFA.CA.GOV/Plant/ReportAPest
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) says, “Snag it. Snap it. Report it.” For more information: CDFA - Plant Health - PDEPSpotted Lanternfly Pest Information (ca.gov)
The Pierce’s Disease / Glassy Winged Sharpshooter Board within CDFA has designated the SLF as a pest to vineyards. The PD/GWSS website contains valuable information on how to detect the SLF and the efforts underway to keep the SLF out of California. For more information on SLFs see: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/pdcp/board/spottedlanternfly.html
Penn State Extension has information on its website relative to how Pennsylvania grape growers are dealing with SLFs in their vineyards. https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly-management-in-vineyards
The California Association of Winegrape Growers is a statewide nonprofit trade association advocating for California's winegrape growers to ensure the sustainability of the winegrape industry.
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