Researchers at UC Davis are developing solutions to protect crops from the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect originating in Asia.
While they have yet to amass in California, they are a major risk to grape and stone fruit operations and have already spread to 17 states since 2014. Spencer Walse, a UC Davis associate professor and USDA research chemist, is in the process of testing fumigants with the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
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The goal is to create a treatment schedule or fumigation guidelines in the case of an infestation, which could have implications for international exports. The California Department of Food and Agriculture designated the species a “quarantine pest” due to the potential risk to agriculture.
The research team has had some success after testing two fumigants targeting lanternfly eggs. The project is under review by APHIS, which has authority to confirm the treatment plan and could modify it to use less of the chemical.
