What does it do? Tree of Heaven (another non-native/invasive species) is the primary host for SLF. However, this pest is also known to feed on over 70 other plant species, including important hosts such as grapes, hops, maple, and black walnut, amongst other hardwoods and fruit crops. SLF is a true bug, part of the order Hemiptera, and they feed using piercing sucking mouthparts. As they feed, they excrete honeydew, a sugary fecal material that accumulates on nearby plants and surfaces and can attract black sooty mold issues. SLF also invades structures in the fall, similar to brown marmorated stink bugs and Asian multicolored lady beetle. Finally, females will lay their eggs on natural and unnatural surfaces alike. While they use trees, the cryptic egg cases have also been found on cars, lawn furniture, firewood, stones, and many other substrates. This causes issues for quarantine and a headache for those that live in infested areas trying to move goods out of the quarantine area.
Figure 3: Be on the lookout for the weird looking adults and for the egg masses spackled onto surfaces as seen here. Don't bring home any unwanted hitchhikers and help us by reporting odd sightings! (Photo: Richard Gardner, Bugwood.org)
What can people do to help? While there is no known evidence of SLF in Kentucky, people should be looking out for this pest and report suspicious insects either to their county Extension office or directly to the UK Entomology Department. The report in Indiana was in association with Tree of Heaven, as this is the preferred host for egg laying in the fall.
Would you like to receive the KNGA Newsletter electronically? This would enable you to see photos in color, easily follow internet links, and save paper. If you would like to receive the newsletter via email, please send your name and email address to sheri.crabtree@kysu.edu.
The Northern Nut Growers Association has a podcast: Find the NNGA podcast, Go Nuts on the NNGA website at https://nutgrowing.org/go-nuts/
Please check out the Kentucky Nut Growers Association Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/Kentucky-Nut-Growers-Association-1599224510355036/
The Fruit and Nut Cultivar Nursery Sources List has been revised and is available at https://www.uky.edu/hort/sites/www.uky.edu.hort/files/documents/HortFact_3002_2020.pdf, or ask your county extension office to print a hard copy.