Predation efficiency of praying mantises as important natural enemies of spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula

Authors: BAO, KEXIN - Chinese Academy Of Forestry; ZHUANG, YUTONG - Chinese Academy Of Forestry; ZHANG, YANLONG - Chinese Academy Of Forestry; Wang, Xingeng; BROADLEY, HANNAH - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); FAN, MENGXI - Chinese Academy Of Forestry; WANG, XIAOYI - Chinese Academy Of Forestry

Submitted to: Pest Management Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/28/2025
Publication Date: 9/11/2025
Citation: Bao, K., Zhuang, Y., Zhang, Y., Wang, X., Broadley, H., Fan, M., Wang, X. 2025. Predation efficiency of praying mantises as important natural enemies of spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula. Pest Management Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.70211.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.70211

Interpretive Summary: Native to China, the spotted lanternfly (SLF) was first discovered in the U.S. in 2014, and as of 2024 has expanded its invasion range to 18 US states and the expansion continues. SLF has emerged as a globally important invasive insect pest, causing extensive damage to tree fruits, nursery stocks and forests in its invasive ranges. Biological control, especially by means of self-perpetuating natural enemies, is a valuable option for long-term, landscape-level management of this highly mobile and polyphagous invasive pest. As part of the systematic evaluation of biocontrol agents for this invasive pest, we assessed the predation efficiency of five most common praying mantis species in China. We found all five mantis species readily preyed upon SLF adults. Overall, the largest-body mantis species, which is already presented in the US, was most efficient than other small-body species, and adults were more efficient than final instar nymphs of each mantis species. Our results for the first time report that praying mantises could be useful SLF natural enemies. These findings could be incorporated into future integrated pest management program against this invasive pest.

Technical Abstract: The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) has emerged as a globally important invasive insect pest, causing extensive damage to tree fruits, nursery stocks and forests in its invasive ranges. Praying mantises commonly occur in many native habitats of spotted lanternfly in China. However, predatory natural enemies such as mantises and their predatory efficiency as biological control agents for spotted lanternfly are unknown. As part of the systematic evaluation of biological control agents for spotted lanternfly, we assessed the predation efficiency of five most common praying mantis species in northern China, Tenodera angustipennis, Hierodula petellifera, Tenodera sinensis, Mantis religiosa and Statilia maculata (Mantodea: Mantidae), by measuring their functional responses to spotted lanternfly adults, as well as potential intraspecific interference under different mantis densities. Both final instar nymphs and adults of all five mantis species were found to readily prey upon spotted lanternfly adults and their feeding rates increased linearly with prey abundance within the tested spotted lanternfly densities. Mutual interference by all tested mantid species was observed with increased predator density. Overall, T. sinensis, which is the largest bodied mantis tested, was more efficient than other species, and adults were more efficient than final instar nymphs of each mantis species. Our results show, for the first time, that praying mantises are important natural enemies of spotted lanternfly adults. These findings also provide insights into the potential efficacy of different mantis species as biocontrol agents for spotted lanternfly and could be incorporated into future integrated pest management program against this invasive pest.