SPOTTED LANTERNFLY
A BRIEF OVERVIEW
What is the Spotted Lanternfly?
Lycorma delicatula is an invasive insect native
to Asia. Since its arrival in PA in 2014,
populations have proliferated to astronomical
levels, wreaking havoc on the environment
and economy.
They feed on 70+ plant species, weakening
their hosts to the point of death while also
secreting a sticky substance called honeydew
that promotes mold growth.
Furthermore, the spotted lanternfly targets
integral agricultural plants, threatening fruit,
hardwood, and nursery/landscape industries,
valued at nearly $18 billion in PA.
As this species rapidly spreads to surrounding
states, it is critical that effective mitigation
techniques are discovered and implemented.
WHO WE ARE
THE SLF RESEARCH TEAM AT LAFAYETTE COLLEGE
Our goal
We aim to better understand the life cycle and
propagation of the spotted lanternfly through
in depth literature research and field work.
Our team
DR. NANCY MCCREARY WATERS
Dr. Waters is an Associate Professor at
Lafayette College and has been here since
1985. She teaches courses in ecology,
limnology, environmental biology, general
biology, and a VaST course in Reproductive
Technology.
She also to runs research projects on
population/community-level phenomena or
physiological adaptations to environmental
changes in freshwater ecosystems.
ANALISA COPPA AND SAKIB ARNOB
We are two rising sophomores investigating
the SLF phenomenon in PA and the greater
tri-state area under the guidance of Dr.
Nancy Waters. Analisa is majoring in
neuroscience, and Sakib is double majoring in
biology and economics.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
HELP US FIGHT THIS INTRUDER
Assisting Our Research
Conducting research on this relatively new
but already widespread organism is nearly
impossible without broad-scale monitoring
efforts and coordinated field experiments
done in the affected geographical area.
Right now, the SLF is currently in the "3rd
Instar" phase of its life cycle (Figure of the
Lifecycle). This is where citizen scientists like
you come into play - this is an informative
science experiment that anyone can
partake in and make a real impact on our
effort to understand and manage this invasive
species!
Consult the next page to learn how to
create standardized traps that will provide
us with invaluable data.
Check out our website for more resources and
techniques to manage this pest's impact. Click
the image below to visit
www.lafayetteslf.weebly.com
 TRAPPING PROTOCOL FOR OUR PROJECT
MATERIALS NEEDED INSTRUCTIONS
1. Double-Sided Carpet Tape 1. Take your carpet tape and cut it into a 2 inch by 6 inch rectangle.
2. Scissors
2. Find a tree and measure from the ground to about 1.5 meters (~5 feet) on the trunk. This is
3. Measuring Tape
4. Disposable glove the height at which you will place the tape. *Note: If there are SLF instars present on the
5. Mobile phone with camera tree, place the tape where they are most prevalent instead.
3. Record the GPS coordinates of the tree. You can use the Compass app or to Google Maps.
INFORMATION NEEDED
1. Records of collection time(s) and date(s) 4. Secure the double sided tape onto the trunk at the appropriate height. Record the time and
2. Geographical coordinates of tree
set a timer for 3 hours.
3. Circumference of tree 1.5 meters from the
ground 5. After 3 hours has elapsed, return to the trap and take several clear pictures.
4. Clear pictures 6. Set another timer for 3 hours and repeat Step 5. *Note: It'd probably be easiest to do this
entire protocol on a weekend.
7. Using disposable gloves, remove the trap and discard.
8. Go to www.lafayetteslf.weebly.com and go to the "Trap and Upload" page to submit your
data and photos using the Google form.
We encourage you to do this as often as possible over the course of SLF season.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS

Analisa Coppa: coppaa@lafayette.edu
Sakib Arnob: arnobs@lafayette.edu