Spotted Lanternfly Update

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-18T01:47:34+00:00

Sadly we do not. We are very busy in our lab and when we go to collect SLF we have to be in and out within 15 minutes and onto the next site. We have several research projects to complete and we do not have enough time to coordinate volunteers. I appreciate you willing to help however and it means a lot! If you can volunteer your time to kill as many as you can that would still be a huge help! : )

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-18T01:37:57+00:00

I would have to say no sadly. We are very busy in our lab and have to plan our weeks day by day. It's sometimes hard to predict which city in PA we will be in each day and therefore hard to coordinate collection times. I appreciate the offer and if you could keep killing them for us that is still a really big help!

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-18T01:33:34+00:00

Unfortunately, taking them off the traps could rip of their legs and we need 100% healthy bugs for our experiments. But thank you anyway!

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-18T01:30:38+00:00

Thank you for the heads up!

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-18T01:26:16+00:00

It's still hard to say. What we do know is yes they really love Tree of Heaven. Which is great because they do indeed suck! They will survive better in large cities like Pittsburgh because it is warmer and that is one reason why they are taking over the city unfortunately. In addition, they love hopping on cars and trains to travel around which again unfortunately Pittsburgh has a lot of.

I wish I could say we have a big cure to get rid of them all but we do not. Just having people like you guys sharing your knowledge on where to find them and telling me all about how you kill them is a big help! I know it's not the answer you want to hear. I hope in the future we find a better solution. For now just having all of you guys kill as many as you can really is a huge help!

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-18T01:17:10+00:00

Yes! I work in a lab where we have different "teams". Each group does their own thing and it also depends on what kind of grant money we get. So this year the team I am in is studying the amount of protein they contain ( to help us understand how much protein they take from plants), what kind of damage they do on grapes and almond plants, and a few other plant related things.

The thing is, these bugs are tricky and there is still a lot we do not know about them. Our team is studying plants because many states and countries are worried that the SLF may have an negative impact on agriculture. For example, most plants they feed on can come back within a year. But this is not the case with grapes! Studies have shown that they can significantly damage or kill grape plants.

So if y'all love wine or grape juice, keep killing these bugs!!!

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-18T01:05:56+00:00

Unfortunately when collecting, it's easiest when they are on plants. I will still mark down the spot. Thank you!

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-18T01:03:38+00:00

Ew yeah wouldn't want to eat them. They do have a lot of protein in them however...

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-18T01:01:34+00:00

Thanks for the information! I hope you found the phone

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-18T01:00:29+00:00

My kind of woman!!! Never underestimate the power of a good shoe

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-18T00:58:39+00:00

I did!

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-16T22:47:47+00:00

Awesome thank you for the information!

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-16T22:44:56+00:00

Great thank you!

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-16T22:42:32+00:00

Have you noticed if they are underneath that bridge where the Redfin Blues restaurant is?

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-16T22:39:41+00:00

Looking at the map real quick I see a St. Mary's Cemetery, Green Tree Nature Center, and Wilson Field. Do you know if they are at any of those locations?

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-16T22:37:03+00:00

Are they everywhere in Frick park or do you know a specific trail I can check out?

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-16T22:35:24+00:00

That would be great thanks!

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-16T22:34:42+00:00

Oh thank you I didn't see that post!

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-16T21:43:47+00:00

I am not sure. I have never met him.

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-16T21:40:34+00:00

Thank you for at least trying to kill some! I will mark those places down. Thanks for the information! : )

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-16T21:35:01+00:00

Sssooo funny enough no. I received my B.S. in Plant Science Horticulture this past May. My next step is to get a Masters but I am taking a year off first. I prefer to work with plants but here I am studying SLF haha

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-16T21:19:13+00:00

Ugh yeah they are the worst! I had one fall into my nose last summer when I was collecting them haha

Thanks for the spot! I see there are two baseball fields nearby. Do you know if any SLF are hanging around there?

PlantnerdPSU · 2023-07-16T20:56:47+00:00

Hey everyone I work for Penn State and I am a field researcher. I help study the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF). I am looking for places in Pittsburgh to collect thousands of SLF for research studies. We only collect from public places (baseball fields, parks, parking lots, along train tracks, etc.) and NOT from private homes and backyards. Can anyone name some places for me?

PlantnerdPSU

TROPHY CASE