Penn State researchers ask: Any natural predators for spotted lanternfly?

• Scott LaMar/WITF
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar was formerly the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

 Brian Henderson / Flickr

An adult spotted lanternfly in Salford Township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania.

Airdate: July 22, 2022

Smart Talk moves it its new time slot Tuesday, July 5, 2022. The program will air at noon until 1 p.m.

The spotted lanternfly has made its return to Pennsylvania. The invasive species seems to be everywhere in some places.

For several years, there was no known natural predator to the invasive spotted lanternfly.

But, as more studies have cropped up, researchers are finding that several animals like to make a meal out of the pests.

At Penn State University, one study has asked the public for help.  Researchers say they’re using a “community science approach” to gather data about which species of birds and other predators are eating spotted lanternfly.  They’re also looking at how frequently they eat them.

Kelli Hoover, Professor of Entomology, Centers for Chemical Ecology, Insect Biodiversity and Pollinator Research at Penn State University appears on Tuesday’s Smart Talk to discuss the lanternfly and how to control the insect.