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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Sugarbeet Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #425550
Research Project: Improving Sugarbeet Productivity and Sustainability through Genetic, Genomic, Physiological, and Phytopathological Approaches

Location: Sugarbeet Research

Title: Use of Beauveria bassiana mycoinsecticides against spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) adults, nymphs, and eggs in semi-natural environments

Author
item Russavage, Emily
item WALLIS, EMILY - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
item BENZINGER MCGLYNN, MELISSA - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
item RILEY, CHRISTOPHER - Bartlett Tree Company
item RAUPP, MICHAEL - University Of Maryland
item LEWIS, PHILLIP - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
item SHREWSBURY, PAULA - University Of Maryland

Submitted to: Biological Control
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/30/2026
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect that was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since spread to 18 other states. Spotted lanternflies are a serious threat to many agricultural industries, as they are known to voraciously feed on over 70 plant species, including grapes, maples, walnuts, apples, and cherries. These insects also excrete a sticky, sugar-rich excrement called honeydew that causes mold growth on plant surfaces, increases activity of stinging insects, and reduces crop quality. There is a critical need to identify effective pest management tactics to control spotted lanternflies and mitigate economic losses. In this study, we tested the efficacy of several mycoinsecticides that contained the insect pathogen Beauveria bassiana. Direct contact sprays of B. bassiana strain GHA killed 94% of adult spotted lanternflies tested. However, direct contact sprays killed 33% of nymphs and did not reduce egg hatch. Spray residues also did not lead to high infection rates, suggesting that these mycoinsecticides quickly deteriorate after application (< 24 hours). Overall, this work suggests that B. bassiana strain GHA is a promising tool for managing spotted lanternfly adults.

Technical Abstract: The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive Fulgorid planthopper that has spread throughout the United States since its’ discovery in 2014. Lycorma delicatula feeding on grapes and hardwood trees can cause millions of dollars in economic damages. Previous research suggests that the entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana has strong potential as a control method. We tested commercially available B. bassiana products for efficacy against L. delicatula eggs, nymphs, and adults. In field tests, direct contact sprays of BotaniGard ES (B. bassiana strain GHA) killed 75% of L. delicatula adults overall. BotaniGard ES and BioCeres WP (B. bassiana strain ANT-03) killed more early-phase than mid-phase adults. When BotaniGard ES was sprayed on early instar L. delicatula on tree saplings, 33% of the nymphs were killed after a week. However, 66% of nymphs, dead or alive, had B. bassiana outgrowth, indicating mortality and infection may have been underestimated. In a separate field experiment, we applied the same mycoinsecticide to tree bark and exposed L. delicatula 4th instars and adults to treated trees 24 h after application. Infection rates of 4th instars and adults were low at 20% and 7%, respectively, suggesting that mycoinsecticide residuals are not effective and quickly deteriorate after 24 h. There was no effect of B. bassiana applications on egg hatch rate and only 16% of emerging hatchlings were infected on average. Our results indicate that direct contact spray applications of B. bassiana has high efficacy against L. delicatula nymphs and adults, but not eggs, under field conditions.