Meet the Lanternfly’s Natural Predator

This article was written by Brittany Valentine, editor of Hey Philly.

While spotted lanternflies do not physically harm humans, they pose a major environmental threat. They cause serious damage to plant life, including oozing sap, wilting, and leaf curling, and can lead to progressive deaths for trees, vines, crops, and many other types of plants.

The species name is Dyrinus sinicus and it's native to China. Spotted lanternflies have now spread to 14 states, but researchers in Delaware may have found a solution.

The scientists traveled to China and returned with a group of natural predators that carry the potential to slow its spread, where female predators search through the environment and attack young lanternfly eggs, preventing them from hatching.

This group of researchers hopes they can control the invasive species before they do more harm to American agriculture, grape farmers in particular. I wish this team the best of luck!