Pennsylvania Game News - August 2019 - 22

Cornell, where genetic techniques were
used to identify the fungi responsible.
"It's a great example of how a major
new invasive herbivore can be suppressed
by native (fungal) pathogens," noted
Eric Clifton, a postdoctoral researcher
at the Cornell entomology lab. "Nobody
stepped in to do this; it all happened
naturally."
A similar fungal response has become
the Achilles heal of gypsy moth caterpillars. The big difference is that the
caterpillar-killing fungus isn't native, it's
Japanese.
"The fungus that is known to kill gypsy
moths, Entomophaga maimaiga, is actually very closely related to the pathogens
we found to be killing lanternflies, Batkoa
major," Leach explained. "They both
belong to the same group of fungal pathogens called 'entomophthotales,' which is
Greek for 'insect destroyer.'"
Entomophaga maimaiga works best in
the same wetter, humid conditions most
fungi seem to prefer, Leach acknowledged. When it hits gypsy moth caterpillars, the fungus infects and "wilts" them.
The caterpillars die and dry out where
afflicted, adhering to the bark of whatever
tree or shrub they were climbing.
Last August was one of Berks County's
rainiest in the past decade, it received 9 to
11 inches. That set the stage for lanternflies to face these unexpected, undetectable enemies.
Cornell's lab-work revealed the relatively unknown fungus Batkoa major usually killed lanternflies on plants and trees,
and the soil fungus Beauveria bassiana
killed most on the ground.
Clifton suspects one of the reasons
these fungi infect lanternflies, but not
other local insects, is that lanternflies lack
the immunity that has evolved in local
species. But he noted more research is
22

needed to verify that theory.
Cornell was quick to point out that its
research still is ongoing, but it hopes this
finding will lead to the development of a
more environmentally friendly control of
lanternflies.

CALL TO ACTION

Since May 2018, the state Department
of Agriculture has put in place a quarantine across 14 southeastern Pennsylvania
counties banning the movement of any
lanternfly, including egg masses, nymphs,
and adults, or objects harboring lanternflies, including brush, debris, bark, or
yard waste; landscaping, remodeling or
construction waste; logs, stumps, or any
tree parts; grapevines and nursery stock,
even crated materials and outdoor household articles such as recreational vehicles,
lawn tractors and mowers.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission has been involved in Pennsylvania's
lanternfly defense. Agency Executive
Director Bryan Burhans reminded hunters they play an important role in keeping
lanternflies contained.
"If we are proactively checking for
and smashing egg masses now, we can
potentially put a dent in the spotted lanternfly population," said Burhans. "It is
imperative that Pennsylvania hunters aid
the cause, and there is no easier way than
to smash egg masses while you're already
outside."
Burhans was particularly concerned
about firewood and building supplies that
might be transported from the quarantined
area to distant hunting camps.
"Be careful, err on the side of caution;
too many forest invaders - including
woolly adelgids and emerald ash borers
- already have ravaged Penn's Woods,"
Burhans noted.
Although state game lands are found

Pennsylvania Game News - August 2019

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